- Today’s Reading: Luke 2
I think the Wexford Carol is one of the most beautiful carols in existence. It recounts the story of Jesus’ birth in careful detail. Even the melody sounds as if it is telling a story, and although its beauty is obvious, I believe the principal voice singing the words can make or break it. Which is why I love this rendition by Alison Krauss, and Yo-Yo Ma.
- Good people all, this Christmas time,
- Consider well and bear in mind
- What our good God for us has done
- In sending his beloved son
- With Mary holy we should pray,
- To God with love this Christmas Day
- In Bethlehem upon that morn,
- There was a blessed Messiah born
- The night before that happy tide
- The noble Virgin and her guide
- Were long time seeking up and down
- To find a lodging in the town
- But mark right well what came to pass
- From every door repelled, alas
- As was foretold, their refuge all
- Was but a humble ox’s stall
- Near Bethlehem did shepherds keep
- Their flocks of lambs and feeding sheep
- To whom God’s angel did appear
- Which put the shepherds in great fear
- Arise and go, the angels said
- To Bethlehem, be not afraid
- For there you’ll find, this happy morn
- A princely babe, sweet Jesus, born
- With thankful heart and joyful mind
- The shepherds went the babe to find
- And as God’s angel had foretold
- They did our Saviour Christ behold
- Within a manger he was laid
- And by his side a virgin maid
- Attending on the Lord of Life
- Who came on earth to end all strife
- There were three wise men from afar
- Directed by a glorious star
- And on they wandered night and day
- Until they came where Jesus lay
- And when they came unto that place
- Where our beloved Messiah lay
- They humbly cast them at his feet
- With gifts of gold and incense sweet
- The Wexford Carol is an Irish Christmas carol originating from the county called Wexford, speciffically Enniscorthy. “The Wexford Carol,” sometimes known by its first verse, “Good people all this Christmas time,” is one of the oldest Christmas carols in the European tradition. The song achieved a renewed popularity due to the work of William Grattan Flood (1859 – 1928), who was organist and musical director at St. Aidan’s Cathedral in Wexford. He transcribed the carol from a local singer, and had it published in the Oxford Book of Carols, putting Wexford into most carol books around the world.”
Wow! Gorgeous voice and absolutely stunning musical accompaniment!!
Nancy
LikeLike
I thought the same thing Nancy! It’s almost haunting in its beauty.
LikeLike