Wolcum Yole!

The Elgin Choral Union rehearsing "Wolcum Yole!" from Britten's "A Ceremony of Carols."

A joyful welcoming to the Heavenly King, his followers, and our guests....and also a celebration of the liturgical calendar. 14th Century text.

Wolcum be thou hevene king
Wolcum Yole!

Wolcum, born in one morning.
[December 25, The Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ]
Wolcum for whom we sall sing!
Wolcum be ye, Stevene and Jon,
[Feast Days Dec 26, Saint Stephen, Deacon and Martye,
Dec 27, Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist]
Wolcum, innocentes ever one,
[Dec. 28, Massacre of the Holy Innocents by Herod]
Wolcum, Thomas marter one
[Dec. 29, Feast day of Thomas the martye]
Wolcum be ye good New Yere,
[Jan. 1, New Year's Day]
Wolcum, Twelfthe Day both in fere.
[both in feasts - Twelfth Day is Jan. 6, Feast of the Epiphany]
Wolcum, seintes lefe and dere
[saints, lesser and dear (meaning "greater")]

Wolcum Yole, wolcum.
Candelmesse,
[February 2 (Candlemas)]
Quene of bliss,
[Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary]
Wolcum bothe to more and lesse,
Wolcum, wolcum.

Wolcum, be ye that are there.
Wolcum Yole,
Wolcum alle and make good cheer,
Wolcum alle anoher yere,
Wolcum Yole,
Wolcum!

To be performed December 18 & 19, 2010.
www.elginchoralunion.org

Category:

Music

Tags:

• elgin
• choral
• union
• ecu
• ecc
• wolcum
• yole
• benjamin
• britten
• ceremony
• of
• carols