Bethlehem Down

[mrhearse777]

Just beginning to learn this with Todmorden Choral Society,(new members welcome).  It's surprisingly easy , with enough to make one think as well. This should be a better known piece, and richly deserves much playing.

[1401JSC]

Those were the days before "hasty" became a byword for Kings interpretations.

[Knyte77]

Beautiful.

[flabbyowl]

I live in Cambridge, and I would go as far as to say King's don't make it into the top 5 choirs in Cambridge at the moment. Distinctly rough around the edges, and sadly I can't see it changing in the foreseeable future.

[foodie65]

@flabbyowl Which choirs in Cambridge would you say are the best?

[Nathan1097]

@johnstdominic I saw them in concert a few years ago and I figured they were tired and didn't have their favorite accoustical space.

[astroidstandards09]

Another favourite Carol of mine

[elephantbarbiegirl]

Superb

[Eurofrank1]

Bethlehem Down is full of the starlight,

Winds for the spices, and stars for the gold,

Mary for sleep, and for lullaby music,

Songs of a shepherd by Bethlehem fold.

Here He has peace and a short while for dreaming,

Close huddled oxen to keep Him from cold,

Mary for love, and for lullaby music,

Songs of a shepherd by Bethlehem fold.

[Eurofrank1]

"When he is King, we will give Him the King´s gifts,

Myrrh for its sweetness, and gold for a crown,

Beautiful robes," said the young girl to Joseph,

Fair with her first-born on Bethlehem Down

When He is King, they will clothe Him in gravesheets,

Myrrh for embalming, and wood for a crown,

He that lies now in the white arms of Mary,

Sleeping so lightly on Bethlehem Down.

[Eurofrank1]

I must say that this piece has grown on me over the last couple of years. I now appreciate the subtle, haunting harmonies the composer intended. I can´t imagine it being sung other than "a capella". Eat your bloody heart out Gordon Sumner!

[eztobeme]

I have loved singing this Christmas hymn for many years. I found it more interesting when i learned of its origins, as this internet excerpt explains: "While recognized as a beautiful, haunting and reverent piece of music, Warlock wrote it to finance an "immortal carouse" (a heavy bout of drinking) on Christmas Eve 1927 for himself and Bruce Blunt , who were experiencing financial difficulty. The pair submitted the carol to the Daily Telegraph's annual Christmas carol contest and won."

[Eurofrank1]

@eztobeme....well that´s a story and a half to be getting on with! Thanks very much for this. I´ll raise my glass and start my entry for next year´s competition.

[charlesumesi]

This piece is just amazing, and one of my favourite Christmas carols of all time! It really takes me to paradise. I agree, Peter Warlock was pure genius! Thanks for the posting.

[Ahbootsybaby]

Peter Warlock, Genius, sublime died too young

[markzart33]

TJATJA1982: THe SATB score has a piano accompaniment but a note saying it should be sung UNACCOMPANIED whenever possible.

1501JSC : yes tragic isn't it ; how everything just gets worse- nothing is as good as it was in the old days!

[TJATJA1982]

lustful2 - the version for SATB is actually supposed to be unaccompanied. Later on at the end of his life he did a solo song version and this is the one that has an accompaniment. And an incredibly beautiful accompaniment it is, too.

But this version has to be unaccompanied, the beauty and subtlety of the harmony comes out much more in this context.

[eztobeme]

@TJATJA1982 - Can you please post the solo version?

[bigbrad2k2]

i wish i could of song this song in a place like that

[1401JSC]

All these Carols remind me of happy childhood days in a Cathedral Choir!

King's 1995 seems better than in 2007!

homogenity of boys' voices and more attention to vowel quality, young bass voices with real gravity....whatever happened?

[johnstdominic]

@1401JSC I agree that King's were mindblowing back in the mid '90s but aren't so good atm (I'm not knowledgeable enough to speculate on why that is, though).

Where did you sing?

[magbutville]

I will forever love this song! It's absolutely beautiful!

[lustful2]

They are sing this unaccompanied but it is actually written to be accompanied as well. I prefer it when played with the organ.

[GraysCreekBaptist]

5/5 and Favorite

[iamSketch]

It's beautiful, the way the voices in harmony echo in the chapel walls. Exquisite...

[rvbarnesboy]

this is one of my very favorite christmas pieces. I highly recommend it. looks like Bath Abbey.

[gooseholla1]

Looks like, but is King's College Cambridge.

[baldwiandr1]

me too. we have sung it numerous times in Wellington Cathedral, New Zealand.

[WeirdAndGeeky]

i'm in st peter's school in york, we're gonna do this for our carol service in the minster. or maybe the advent service in a chapel. not sure, anyway im really excited!

[awtbaldwin]

enjoy it! :-)

[theatom2000]

Very good moment with this video, thank's