Stacy's Vocal Advent Calendar

Later Generations Reflecting on Christ's Birth Song #30 "What Songs Were Sung" This is my last song of the season. I intentionally chose to post it the day after Christmas because it is so contemplative. It's a good reminder after we've opened all the presents and enjoyed all the traditional customs and holiday parties. In our time Christmas is heavily adorned with lights and music and great fanfare, but this song reminds us that the actual event was much more solemn and sacred than we typically observe it. We can't know what sort of songs were actually sung at Jesus's birth. We know that the angels sang, but was it glorious music like Handel's Messiah or was it simple, peaceful, and worshipful? It's a song that really makes you think. When I sing it I reflect on what exactly it was like for those involved, how it has affected those who couldn't be there personally, and why the nativity story continues to endure for so many years among so many ...

Later Generations Reflecting on Christ's Birth Song #29 "O Holy Night" aka "Cantique de Noël" When you hear this song by one of the thousands of pop singers who have covered it, they usually just sing the first verse. They take advantage of the long lines and leaps to show off their belting skills, and then it's over. But to really understand its beautiful message, you also need the 3rd verse, and it's even better with all three. I often tire of hearing this song simply because it's overdone, but I absolutely love singing it. I will never get tired of singing it. It was actually one of the first solos I ever sang as a teenager. I remember singing it at church and at various recitals while studying with Rebecca Glade. It is joyous to sing, and it always seems to bring a smile to people's faces. My favorite was when I got to sing it as a solo while accompanied by my ward choir three years ago. I remember stepping out for the solo and seeing people...

Later Generations Reflecting on Christ's Birth Song #28 "Still, Still, Still" Though this is a fairly well known song, the English lyrics in my songbook are completely different from the ones I was expecting. The song is a traditional Austrian carol. After looking up a translation I found the lyrics in my book are actually pretty close in meaning to the original poetry. The more commonly heard lyrics I use here aren't even resembling the original. However, I like this version because it makes it more personalized. The original song is strictly a lullaby for Jesus referring to Mary holding and nursing him while the angels sing. This version can be a lullaby for anyone. I see it as a mother pondering on Christ's birth while singing to her child on Christmas Eve and helping lull them to sleep in that peace.  I chose to post the song today since that's exactly what I'm looking forward to doing tonight. I don't typically get much time with the kids in the w...

Later generations reflecting on Christ's birth. These final songs occur centuries after Christ. They look back on His birth, why He came, and contemplate what we can do now to remember Him. Song #27 "I Wonder as I Wander" The composer of this song, John Jacob Niles, heard a melody and a few lines from a girl singing on the street for a quarter per song. He transcribed it and turned it into the song we know today.  "I wonder as I wander out under the sky how Jesus the Savior did come for to die for poor ordinary people like you and like I wonder as I wander out under the sky. When Mary birthed Jesus 'twas in a cow's stall, with wise men and farmers and shepherds and all. But high from God's heaven a star's light did fall, and the promise of ages it then did recall. If Jesus had wanted for any wee thing, a star in the sky, or a bird on the wing, or all of God's angels in heav'n for to sing, He surely could have it, 'cause he was the King. Mo...

Wise Men and Gifts for Jesus Song #26 "In the Bleak Mid-Winter" I first sang this song in church several years ago. There are two versions of it that I like, one by Gustav Holst and one by Harold Darke. Instead of choosing just one, I decided to blend the two of them together. I sing Holst's version for the 1st two verses then Darke's version for the 3rd verse. They're in the same key so they work together quite nicely. When I last performed it people told me they wouldn't have known I was singing two different songs if I hadn't told them. Here are the lyrics: "In the bleak mid-winter frosty wind made moan; Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone; Snow had fallen, snow on snow, Snow on snow, in the bleak mid-winter long ago.  Our God, heaven cannot hold Him nor earth sustain. Heaven and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign: In the bleak mid-winter a stable-place sufficed the Lord God Almighty- Jesus Christ.  What can I give Him, poor as I...

Wise Men and Gifts for Jesus Song #25 "Jesus of Nazareth" This song is fun to sing, though I hear it's a beast to play. My piano skills on a scale of 1-10 are around a 4, so I really can't tell how difficult something is once it's surpassed my own abilities. I do know that it's usually challenging to play anything that was originally written for an orchestra, and this piece was composed by opera composer Charles Gounod. Since he often wrote for orchestras, I'm not surprised anything by him would be challenging to play. The song is originally in French, and it's totally different from the English version. It does mention "born in a creche'" in its refrain, but otherwise it has nothing to do with Christmas. It goes on about Jesus's greatness and how he brought Lazarus back to life and performed other miracles. Even if it's not even resembling the original text, this version's still good. It speaks of Christ's greatness while...

 Wise Men and Gifts for Jesus Song #24 "What Child is This?" aka "Greensleeves" Now it's time for something a little more familiar. In fact, 5 of my last 7 songs are all fairly well known. Most people know this song, but what you may not know is that it did not start off as a Christmas song. In fact the arrangement I'm using came from my "Folk Songs for Solo Singers" book. Way back in the year 1580 the tune was originally set to a different text, a song about unrequited love for "my lady Greensleeves." It was not set to "What Child is This?" until the year 1865.  What Child is this who laid to rest on Mary's lap is sleeping? Whom Angels greet with anthems sweet, while shepherds watch are keeping? Why lies he in such mean estate where ox and ass are feeding. Good Christian fear for sinners here. The silent word is pleading. This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and Angels sing. Haste, haste, to bring Him laud, ...

Wise Men and Gifts for Jesus The next set of songs refer to the wise men, to the gifts they brought to Jesus, and to the gifts that we could bring to Jesus.  Matthew 2:1-11 (condensed) Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. For thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when t...

Lullabies to Jesus Song #22 "Maria Wiegenlied" (Mary's Slumber Song) I fell in love with this song the first time I heard it. The tricky part is singing those high notes softly but with enough support that you don't sound breathy. I originally sang it in a lower key because singing high notes soft is so challenging, but eventually I switched to a higher key once I thought I could pull it off. I sing this song in its original German since I don't care for any of the English versions I've heard. I chose to put it here at the end of the lullaby section since it's not necessarily about Christmas night. Mary's by the rose bower feeling the warm wind of summer, so this is likely a few months after the birth.  English Translation "Mary sits by the rose bower and rocks her little Jesus. Softly through the leaves the warm wind of summer blows. A brightly colored bird sings at her feet: Go to sleep, sweet child, It’s time to go to sleep. Your smile is lovel...

Lullabies to Jesus Song #21 "Holy Infant's Lullaby" This is an absolutely gorgeous lullaby! When I first heard it I wanted to lie down and float away into dreamland. There aren't a lot of words to it, but I think the most profound part is when it says "the angels sing praises in heaven while Mary sings lullaby-lu." This alludes to the condescension of Christ, that he would come down from greatness and be born a helpless baby like the rest of us. I've already posted the scriptures that allude to the condescension, so instead I'll leave a link to a great talk on the subject from The Ensign magazine.  https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/.../the-condescension... "Sleep, sleep. O rest you holy infant. Close your eyes to the star shining bright. Sleep in the arms of your mother who sings to you through the night. A la ru, a la me, a la ru, a la me. Sleep. Sleep. The angels sing praises in heaven while Mary sings lullaby loo. Dream of a day gentle baby...

Lullabies to Jesus The next set of songs are lullabies written for Jesus, usually about how Mary holds him tenderly and sings him to sleep.  Luke 2:17-19  And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.  Song #20 "Jesus, Jesus Rest Your Head" The tune and lyrics of this carol were transcribed by John Jacob Niles from local folk singers. He kept the original dialect of the performers with it. I'm a big believer that you should only sing or act with a dialect/accent if you can do it really well and make it sound truly authentic. I don't fall into that category with this song, so I've modified the lyrics a bit. Here are mine. Jesus Jesus rest your head, lying in a manger bed. All the mortal folk on earth sleep in feathers at their birth. Have you heard about o...

 Adoring the Infant King Song #19: "Carol of the Birds" aka "Curroo, Curroo" This is another carol of the birds, but a completely different one than the song I posted yesterday. I found it in an old music book at my inlaws' house, so it must have belonged to my sister in law Emily while she was studying voice as a teenager.  I like this song because I get to rrrrrrrrrrroll my r's in order to imitate the birds. I take a lot of pride in my rolled r's since I taught myself how to do it at 19 years old. I knew I needed to learn how in order to sing in a foreign language, but according to Dr Power, who at the time was the head of the University of Utah vocal department, the only people he knew who'd learned to roll their r's as adults were those who'd lived for a prolonged period of time in another country, like missionaries. He told me it was something you have to hear regularly for your brain to process how to make the sound.  Turns out that...

Adoring the Infant King Song #18 "Carol of the Birds"  aka "El Cant dels Ocells" I discovered this song about 10 years ago back when Amie Street was its own downloading entity. With Amie Street you paid for a song depending on how times it'd been downloaded. Professional recordings by well known artists cost the same as they did on iTunes, but anything by self publishing artists was free or super cheap. This was a great way for me to add to my Christmas playlist. I downloaded a bunch of music from various college chorales for only a few pennies. It's a large reason I'm so familiar with so many lesser known Christmas carols.  I also heard this song by a woman named Susan Osborn. I absolutely loved it! I listened to it repeatedly, wrote down the lyrics, memorized it, and immediately began performing it a'cappella as a singer at the "Macaroni Grill." I later discovered the Tabernacle Choir does a version of it too, but I like the lyrics of Sus...

Adoring the Infant King The next three songs refer to others seeing the signs and coming to adore Jesus at his birth. Though they're most likely fictional, we have many songs like these in our traditional Christmas music. I think these types of songs help people personalize themselves there at the birth, which in turn helps them internalize the event more.  Song #17 "Do You Hear What I Hear?" I had no intention of recording or posting this song until two days ago. Though I did sing it at my first nativity festival, there have got to be thousands of pop singers out there that could belt out incredible versions of this piece, and I didn't think my version could hold a candle to them. But Meledie still had a copy of it in her files, and we sang through it on Friday just to see how it sounded. As it turned out, we both remembered it pretty well and more importantly, we really enjoyed performing it again. We didn't have a second copy, but I memorized it as quickly as I...

Christ's Birth in Humble Circumstances Song #16 "Petite Noel" This is a delightful little gem I discovered in one of my Christmas songbooks last year. It's probably the least well known of any of the songs I've posted, but it's incredibly charming. Meledie and I both loved it instantly after our first sing through. I've posted plenty of lesser known Christmas carols so far, but all of them are at least known enough that you can find a professional recording of them somewhere. As far as I can tell there is no professional recording of this piece.  Though the song is originally written in French, I sing it in English and probably always will because the English version is absolutely superb. I mentioned in a previous song that translated versions often can't get across the intent of the original poetry because they have to be modified to fit the musical composition. Even if they get the message across, the phrasing can sound a little strange because it ha...

Christ's Birth in Humble Circumstances Song #15 "The Birthday of a King" This is a song I'd never heard until finding it in a Christmas songbook while looking for songs for my 1st nativity festival. I looked up a few recordings and was disappointed to only hear it with male soloists. Personally I think it sounds better with a higher voice.  In the little village of Bethlehem,there lay a Child one day. And the sky was bright with a holy light o'er the place where Jesus lay. Alleluia! O how the angels sang. Alleluia! How it rang! And the sky was bright with a holy light, 'Twas the birthday of a King. 'Twas a humble birth-place, but oh how much God gave to us that day. From the manger bed what a path has led! What a perfect, holy way.

Christ's Birth in Humble Circumstances Song #14: "Gesù Bambino" This is a well known Italian Christmas song. I sing the 1st verse in Italian and the 2nd in English. The refrain is in Latin (venite adoremus Dominum) which I intersperse with English (O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord). (translation of the 1st verse) In a humble hut, in cold and poverty, the Holy infant is born, who the world will adore. Hosanna, hosanna, sing with a joyous heart, your shepherds and angels, O King of light and love. (English version of the 2nd verse) Again the heart with rapture glows to greet the holy night, that gave the world its Christmas Rose, its King of Love and Light. Let ev'ry voice acclaim His name, the grateful chorus swell. From paradise to earth He came that we with Him might dwell.

Christ's Birth in Humble Circumstances The next set of songs all refer to the nativity scene itself - the newborn baby laid in a manger surrounded by animals and other admirers.  Song #13 "The Snow Lay on the Ground" This is a song my mom, Merrilene Jinks, used to sing to herself while I was growing up. I think she'd sung it in high school choir. This was back when you couldn't just look up a song on the internet whenever you wanted to learn more about it. When I was a teenager I bought all sorts of Christmas CD's and listened to Christmas stations on the radio, but I never heard anyone singing it besides my mom. I forgot about it for a long time, then about six years ago she was humming it again while she was here in Washington visiting us for Christmas. I looked it up online and found some nice choral recordings on Spotify. Just two years ago I bought a new Christmas songbook and was delighted to discover this solo version of it in there. Here are the lyrics...

Shepherds and Angels Song #12 "Bells Over Bethlehem" aka "Campanas de Belen" I first heard this as a fast, catchy Spanish children's song, but I think it works as a solo too. I just found sheet music for it last month, otherwise I'd learn at least some of it in Spanish. Next year I'd like to do this and a few more Spanish Christmas carols.  Bells over Bethlehem pealing, God’s sacred presence revealing! There in a cradle is resting Jesus, the earth’s richest blessing! The bells, the bells of Bethlehem are ringing out the tidings, “good will to all men!” Leave your sheep and come, O shepherds, presents bring the Babe so lowly, Bring some cheese and bring some wine for the Mother Mary holy. Shepherds, if you will but hasten, Mary the beautiful Virgin, may grant that you may be keeping watch o’er the dear Baby sleeping.

 Shepherds and Angels Song #11 "As Lately We Watched" aka "Die Hirten auf dem Felden" This is an Austrian carol, though its English version seems to be more commonly sung than its original German version (like "Silent Night" or "Still, Still, Still"). If you listen closely you'll notice the tune is somewhat similar to "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." In the original German there are at least 7 verses. In most choral English versions there are 4. My arrangement has just 2. For a soloist it's best not to sing more than 2 verses of a strophic (hymn-like) song unless you're going to add some variation to the melody and accompaniment. Otherwise the song gets repetitive and boring. As lately we watched o'er our fields through the night, A star there was seen of such glorious light. All through the night, angels did sing, in carols so sweet of the birth of a King. A king of such beauty was ne'er before seen, And Mary his m...

Shepherds and Angels My next set of songs all refer to the account of the shepherds near Bethlehem who hear the angels proclaim the birth of Jesus and follow the star to find him. Song #10 "O Come Away, Ye Shepherds" also known as "Quittez Pasteurs" This is an adorable little French carol. It's super catchy and fun to sing. Since it's new to me as of a month ago I decided not to try and learn the French this year. I sing far better when I'm memorized, and it's considerably easier for me to memorize English than any other language.  Lyrics: O come away. Ye shepherds leave your sheep. A king has come to ease our woe so deep. O change your tears to praise and jubilation we journey to adore our God who brings us consolation. O see him there, so timid week and helpless! A tiny babe within a manger laid. From heav'n above he comes to earth to save us as God's begotten son. He is our Lord and faithful shepherd. Luke 2:8-20 (condensed) And there wer...

Gabriel's Appearance to Mary Song #9 Mary Did You Know This song was written in 1984. It's been covered by many pop singers, but I actually first heard it in 1999 as a gorgeous Soprano/Soprano II/Alto arrangement. We sang it in Madrigals my senior year of High School. I never knew it was a pop song until I started looking up recordings. Though Pentatonix has a pretty decent version, I prefer the song sung simply and sweetly to reflect the contemplative nature of the piece. My brother and I found this duet version and sang it in church one year. I kept it in my music library for over a decade then sang it again with Oscar a few years back at our ward Christmas party. Fortunately he still remembered it fairly well and was willing to record it with me this year. I like this version, but my favorite is still the SSA arrangement from high school. I hope one day I can find and sing that version again. It'd be fun to do as a trio or small ensemble. Lyrics: Mary, did you know that ...

  Gabriel's Appearance to Mary Song #8: Magnificat Some of you won't like this song. It's from a modern opera/oratorio written just 20 years ago. It doesn't have a key signature, it changes meter constantly, and it employs dissonance liberally. This unpredictability in music can feel jarring to people who are used to listening to structured music based on centuries of traditional music theory. It's not going to be everyone's favorite cup of tea, but I hope you'll read my story first before you judge it. This song helped me realize something I don't think I would have fully processed if I hadn't found it through music, and for that reason it will always hold a special place in my heart. As I was organizing my songs from all 3 years of singing Nativity festivals, I realized I didn't have any songs about Mary before she bore Jesus. I immediately thought of the song I posted yesterday, "The Angel Gabriel," but I'd hoped to have at least...

Gabriel's Appearance to Mary Song #7 "The Angel Gabriel" or " Gabriel's Message " Here we move on to the next part of the Christmas story - Gabriel's appearance to Mary revealing she would one day become the mother of Jesus. This song summarizes the event nicely. Here are the lyrics as I sing them. Normally there is the same refrain after each verse ("most highly favored lady"), but I don't particularly care for it. I sing it on the first verse then make my own modifications to the refrain based on the verse it follows. I also modify the 2nd line of the first verse to match my own religious tradition (original words are "his wings" as drifted snow).  The angel Gabriel from heaven came His robes as drifted snow, his eyes aflame All hail said he thou lowly maiden Mary Most highly favoured lady. Gloria! For lo a blessed mother thou shalt be All generations laud and honour thee Thy son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold The Prince ...

Prophecies of Christ  Song #6 "On Christmas Night"  aka " The Sussex Carol" This was another song I wasn't quite sure how to categorize. The first verse is clearly referring to the day of Christ's birth and the angels singing the good news, but then the rest of the verses go into more detail about what exactly that good news is. Ultimately I chose to place it with prophecies since it pairs well with these two scriptures.  Isaiah 9:2,6 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 53:4-5 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions...

Section 1 - Prophecies of Christ Song #5 "Il est né, le divin Enfant" This is a French Carol meaning "He is born, the divine infant." I thought about putting it with my other songs about Christ's actual day of birth, but I put it here with "prophecies" since the first verse talks about how prophets have promised he would come for more than 4,000 years. This is another song I like to sing half in its original language and half in English. (Translation of verse 1 and refrain) He is born, the divine infant, Play the oboes, ring out the bagpipes! He is born, the divine child, Let us all sing his coming! For more than four thousand years, the prophets promised him to us For more than four thousand years we've awaited. this happy time. (English version of verse 2 and refrain) He is born the divine Christ child. Play on the oboe and bagpipes merrily. He is born the divine Christ child. Sing we all of the Savior's birth. Oh how lovely, o how pure is th...