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Digital download
- Ben Parry
Christ's Nativity
- Peters Edition Limited (World)
Commissioned by The Dean and Chapter of Sheffield Cathedral 2010
Programme Note
Christ's Nativity sets two stanzas of Henry Vaughan’s (1621-1695) Christmas poem of the same name for SATB choir and organ. The music reflects the exuberance of Vaughan’s text, and provides ample opportunity for plenty of colour – not least with the line, “I would I were some bird”, where the organ accompanies the text with a notated call of a blackbird.
The first performance was given on Christmas Eve, 2010 by the Cathedral Choir of Sheffield Cathedral, conducted by Neil Taylor.
Awake, glad heart! get up and sing!
It is the birth-day of thy King.
Awake! awake!
The Sun doth shake
Light from his locks, and all the way
Breathing perfumes, doth spice the day.
I would I were some bird, or star,
Flutt’ring in woods, or lifted far
Above this inn
And road of sin!
Then either star or bird should be
Shining or singing still to thee.
Henry Vaughan