Program
SongintroductionswrittenbySteveLovaas
WeShallLightaThousandCandles
HodieChristusnatusesta8
DavidRasbach
GiovanniPierluigidaPalestrina
Omagnummysterium AndreaGabrieli
AHymntotheVirgin BenjaminBritten
ÜbersGebirgMariageht
JohannEccard
Frohlocket,ihrVölkeraufErden FelixMendelssohn
OHeiland,reissdieHimmelauf JohannesBrahms
Frohlocket,ihrGerechten JosefRheinberger
Laylatal-Milad
Soloist: SteveLovaas
TradArabic,arr.AMulè
AYiddishLullaby MordechaiGebirtig
Soloist: ChrisLalonde
HelaRotan
ISawThreeShips
CoventryCarol
WexfordCarol
TradIndonesian,arr.KenSteven
INTERMISSION
TradEnglish,arr.EdwinFissinger
TradEnglish,arr.GarrettBreeze
TradIrish,arr.MartinSeiler
Soloists: IanRousom,AngelaBosco-Lauth,HeatherVesgaard, AnnJeffers,MattWiersma
CaroloftheRussianChildren/TheSleigh Arr.DerricJohnson
Soloist: AnnJeffers
WhatSweeterMusicCanWeBring?
Soloist: LillyBailey
InfantHoly,InfantLowly
DavidDickau
TradPolish,arr.BrentWells
TheLamb LukeMayernik
Soloist:VickieWiersma
MaryHadaBaby
Soloist: AmyResseguie
TradSpiritual,arr.CraigCourtney
Welcome
RockyMountainChamberSingersinvitesyoutowrapyourselfinthe beautyof WinterTapestry:WovenTogetherinSong—avibrantcollection ofchoralworksspanningcenturies,culturesandtraditions.Timeless classicsandcontemporarygemscometogetherinaprogramthatfeels bothfamiliarandfresh.
Fromquiet,snow-dustedmomentstolivelyburstsofcheer,eachpiece contributesitsownthreadtoacozy,musicaltapestry.Wethankyoufor joiningustodayforaluminouscelebrationoftheseasonandthe connectionsthatmakewinterbright.
Our Choir
AnnBunyanfoundedtheRockyMountainChamberSingersinLoveland, Coloradoin1988,withthegoalofbringingacappellachoralmusicto northernColorado.Thegroupenjoysperformingagreatvarietyofstyles, fromtheRenaissancemastersthroughfolksongsfromaroundtheworld, tomoderndoo-wop,jazz,barbershopandpop/rock.TheChamberSingers revelinthebreadthandvarietyofthisliterature,whichrequiresanearfor manydifferentstylesandadedicationtoprecisionandblend.
Audiencemembershaveraved,“Yourselectionofpiecesisinspired!”and “Suchwonderfulblendanddiction.”Reviewshavepraisedthe “…astoundingdisplayofvirtuosityintechnique,execution,styleand versatility”and“…exactphrasing,excellentdiction,impeccable intonationandathoroughknowledgeofeverystyle.”
Recordingsinclude“RMCSACappella!”,“ChristmaswiththeChamber Singers”,“GoTellItOnTheMountain”and“BestoftheRockyMountain ChamberSingers.”
Our Director, Dr. David Dunbar
BorninHeidelberg,Germany,DavidDunbarbeganhismusicaltrainingat anearlyageinpiano,organ,voice,cello,conducting,andcomposition.His formaleducationincludesaBachelorofMusicdegreefromBrigham YoungUniversity,aMasterofMusicdegreefromtheUniversityofNorth Texas,andaDoctor ofMusicalArtsdegreefromtheUniversity ofArizona. Dr.DunbaralsoholdsanAdvancedCertificateinScoringforMotion PicturesandTelevisionfromtheUniversityofSouthernCalifornia.Hehas
conductedchorusesandorchestrasintheUnitedStates,Canada,and Europe,andcontinuestoworkasacomposer,arranger,andorchestrator. InadditiontobeingdirectoroftheRMCS(since2022),healsoservesas DirectorofMusicandtheArtsatFirstPresbyterianChurchofFortCollins.
Aaron Owen (joined2019)
Amy Resseguie (2013)
Angela Bosco-Lauth (2012)
Ann Jeffers (2024)
Cassie Foust (2023)
Chris Lalonde (2024)
Dani Schlueter (2018)
Heather Vesgaard (2008)
Ian Rousom (2013)
Jean Lemmon (2025)
Our Singers
Joya Migliaccio (2021)
Justin Roth (2025)
Kristen Cummings (2017)
Lilly Bailey (2025)
Matt Pearson (2024)
Matt Wiersma (2019)
Nan Eckardt (2010)
Sean Fagan (2025)
Steve Lovaas (2003)
Vickie Wiersma (2019)
Meet The Singers
Aaron Owen dedicateshimselftomusic,whetherhe’splaying saxophone,keys,clarinet,singing,orwritingandproducingmusic.By dayhe’sanapprenticeelectrician,andbynighthegigswithtwolocal bands,TexasRedandHotelWifi,headliningshowsacrosstheFront Range.AaronenjoyssinginginRMCSwithhismom,Kristen.
Amy Resseguie isawriter,editor,andCSUalumwhohasspenther careerworkingincommunicationsandpublicengagementwiththecity ofFortCollins.AmyhassungwiththeOperaFortCollinschorusand variouschurchensembles.ShehaslovedsingingwithRMCSforthelast decade,aswellashelpingoutbehindthesceneswithourboardduties andmarketingefforts.
Angela Bosco-Lauth movedtoFortCollinsforcollegeandneverleft. AftercompletingbothherPhDandDVMdegreesatCSU,shenow worksthereasanassociateprofessorteachingthenextgenerationof veterinariansandresearchinginfectiousdiseases.Musichelpskeepher balanced,andinadditiontoRMCS,shealsosingswiththeLarimer Chorale.Herotherhobbiesincludemartialarts,horsebackriding, hiking,hunting,andhomesteadingwithherspouseandtheir assortmentofpets.
Ann Jeffers haslovedmusicandperformingsinceearlychildhood. SincemovingtoNOCOin2019,shehasalsosungwithSeicento BaroqueEnsemble,ProMusicaTerraeAmoris,andLovelandOpera Theater.Between1980and2000,shelivedinBostonandsangopera, oratorioandsongrecitals.In2022sheretiredfromacareerasagenetic
counselorandclinicaleducatorspecializinginhereditarycancer.She liveshappilyinLovelandwithherpartner,Robin.HerdaughterFionais afearlesswildernessEMTandeducator.
Cassie Foust hasalwaysenjoyedmusicandsingingandhasearneda B.A.inmusiceducationfromCaliforniaStateUniversity,Fullerton.She livesinLovelandwithherhusbandandtwoyoungchildren,withwhom shecurrentlystayshome.Sheenjoysreading,kickboxing,and adventuringoutdoorswithherfamily.Cassieislovinghertimewith RMCSandgettingbackintosingingandperforming.
Chris Lalonde grewupinamusic-lovinghouseholdandgothisstart throughmusicaltheaterandvariousbrassinstruments.Hejoinedhis firstacappellagroupincollegeatNotreDameandhasbeeninvolvedin groupsrepresentingvariousstylessince,includingasalong-time memberoftheBarbershopHarmonySociety.Chrisisarecent transplanttoColoradoafterstopsaroundthecountryandlivesinFort Collinswithhiswife,twoboys,andtwocats.
Dani Schlueter isamusictherapistandvoice/guitar/ukuleleinstructor at FoundationMusicSchoolinFt.Collins.AnativeofChicago,sheearned abachelor'sinK-12musiceducationatWartburgCollegeinIowaanda MastersinmusictherapyatCSU.Sheandherhusbandwelcomedtheir firstchildinNovember2023.BesidessingingwithRMCS,Danienjoys sewing,boardgaming,playingtheukulele,andbeing“Mama!”
Heather Vesgaard andhusbandMattliveinFortCollinswiththeir family.WithdegreesinsocialworkfromCSU,Heatheristheexecutive director forthenon-profityouthdevelopmentorganizationPartners.In additiontoRMCS,Heathervolunteerswiththemusicandartsministry atFirstPresbyterianChurchFortCollinsandasaBODmemberofthe CentennialChildren'sChorus.Whennotworking,parenting,orsinging, HeatherenjoyscuddlingherdogsandexercisingintheColorado sunshine!
Ian Rousom isaFellowintheaerospaceindustryandafatheroffour very musicalchildren.Heisinvolvedalongsidehiswife,Kristin,inmany musicandservicerolesthroughoutColorado,particularlyvolunteering atFaithChurchinFortCollins.Ianholdsdegreesinchemistry,computer science,andinformationtechnology,andaminorinmusic.Hishobbies includeconstruction,stainedglass,andwoodworking.
Jean Lemmon returnedtoColoradoin2020afterretiringfromthe WaterQualityDivisionoftheOklahomaConservationCommission.She hasbeeninvolvedinearlymusic(Renaissanceandearlier)sinceher daysatColoradoCollege,iscofounderofProMusicaTerrraeAmoris andisactivewiththemusicprogramatFirstPresbyterianChurchof FortCollins.Jeanloveshiking,cookinggoodfood,andknitting.
Joya Migliaccio wasbornandraisedinColoradoSprings.She completedherundergraduateandveterinarydegreesatCSU.She currentlypracticesprimarilysmallanimalmedicine.Shemovedbackto FortCollinsin2021wheresheliveswithher4dogs,cat,andhorse.In herfreetimeoutsideofworkandsingingsheenjoysexploringthe outdoors,reading,baking,doingpuzzles,andplayingcardandboard gameswithherfriendsandfamily.
Justin Roth isasinger/songwriterandfingerstyleacousticguitaristwho tourednationallyforover20yearsandreleasedsixalbums.Aftera choralhiatussincethelate1900s,nowhe’sthrilledtosingwithRMCS. He’safatheroftwo,husbandofone,andspendshistimeteaching guitar,makingYouTubetutorials,leadingsongwritingworkshopsin schools,transcribingmusic,DJingonKRFC,andplayingsologigs.
Kristen Cummings livesinFortCollinswithherhusband,Jason,your friendlyticket-takeratthedoor.Asarecentemptynester,she’s adjustingtothequietermomentsathomeafterraisingfoursons. KristenstudiedmusicatCUBoulderandhassungwiththeDenver OperaCompany,LarimerChorale,andDickensCarolers,witha fondnessformusictheatreperformance.Sheworksincommunications inthetravelindustryandwhennotworkingcanbefoundjettingoffto newdestinations. Kristenisthrilledtobesingingagainwithherson, Aaron.
Lilly Bailey startedsingingbeforeshecouldtalk.Shestartedsingingin juniorhighchoirbackinTexas,throughhighschool(makingtheTexas AllStateChoir!),andintocollegewhereshestudiedmusic.Shehas sungwithChristtheKingSingersinDallas,andFortWorthChorale.Lilly wasachoirdirector inTexasfor4yearsbeforesheandherhusband SeanmovedouttoFortCollins.Hobbiesincludehangingoutwithher cats,collectinghouseplants,anddoingjigsawpuzzles.
Matt Pearson bringswithhimalifelongloveofsinginginchoirsand smallensembles.OriginallyfromEngland,MattrelocatedtoFortCollins
inAugust,accompanyinghiswifeasshebegananewroleatColorado StateUniversity.Workingremotelyasasoftwareprofessional,Matt appreciatestheflexibilitytosupporthischildren’ssportsandmusic pursuits.Inhisfreetime,heenjoysexploringnorthernColorado’s scenicsurroundingsandcheeringonhisbelovedLiverpoolFC.
Matt Wiersma hasbeeninvolvedinmusicfor muchofhislife, performinginchoirsandbands,andenjoyingtheopportunitytosing, playdrums,orpianoatchurch.Mattalsostaysbusywithawiderange ofhomeprojects—everythingfrominstallingsolarpanelsanda fireplacetorenovatingaschoolbus.MattandVickiearehavingagrand timeexploringthewondersofparenthoodwiththeir1yearoldFelix, makingthisanexcitingandmemorabletimefortheirfamily.
Nan Eckardt andherhusband,SimonTavener,havecalledFortCollins homesince2000.Nanhasenjoyedsingingchoralmusicallherlifeand alsosingswiththeLarimerChorale.Sheisanavidbirdwatcher, photographer,hiker,cyclist,andcross-countryskier.Indoors,she enjoysreading,cooking,andplayingthepiano.NanhasaPh.D.inplant biologyandisnewlyretiredfromherworkasasenioreditorfor the scientificjournalThePlantCell.
Sean Fagan isexcitedtojoinRMCS,endingathree-yearchoralbreak aftermovingtoFortCollinswithhiswife,LillyBailey.Previously,he performedacrossDFWTexaswiththeFortWorthChorale,Christthe KingSingers,andtheGoodeTimeCarolers.Thoughheearnedamusic degreefromUTArlington,Seanpivotedfromrecordingstudioworkto acareerinITsystemsadministration.Alongwithsinging,Seanconnects tohismusicalrootsthroughbassguitar,DJing,andseeingconcerts withLillyandfriends.
Steve Lovaas hasamusicdegreefromUConnandhasperformedin opera,choral,folk,andearly-musicensemblesaroundthecountry. SteveisthechiefinformationsecurityofficerfortheCSUSystem,and hiscommunityengagementhasincludedstintsaspresidentofOpera FortCollinsandColoradoScienceOlympiad.Heandhiswife,Heidi,now takeeveryopportunitytoexploreanewretreatintheSanLuisValley.
Vickie Wiersma isthrilledtosinginthisyear'sChristmasconcert!An amateur inthetraditionalsense,shealsosingsforthepraisebandat ImmanuelCRC,inrecitalsunderthetutelageofGingerMartin,andall day(andnight)toheroneyearoldson,Felix.Whennotsinging,Vickie
enjoyspaintinghernails,writingfiction,andputtingonteapartiesfor herfriends!
Thank You!
Wewouldliketothankour wonderfulcontributorstoRockyMountain ChamberSingers!Yourgeneroussupportmakesitpossibleforusto continueofferingacappellamusicacross NorthernColorado.
Patrons ($1000+)
AnnBunyan
Sponsors ($500–$999) NanEckardt
Benefactors ($250–$499) AmyResseguie
AngelaBoscoLauth
BruceDeMichaelsandDavidDunbar
KjerstinThorson
SteveandHeidiLovaas
Sustainers ($100–$249) JoyaMigliaccio
KarlinGray AnneBeer
MattandHeatherVesgaard
Friends (Up to $99)
JustinRoth
JasonandKristenCummings
JoinourlistofSponsorsbymakingatax-deductibledonationinthe lobby,bydonatingonlineorbysendingacheckto:
RockyMountainChamberSingers
c/oHeatherVesgaard 1412FleetwoodCourt FortCollins,CO80521
FollowusonFACEBOOKandINSTAGRAM, findus onYOUTUBEandontheWEBat www.rockymountainchambersingers.org and signupatthedoorforourNEWSLETTER to receivenewsofupcomingevents.
Enjoybeautifulchoralmusicwiththeseregionalensembles
Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for a Digital program, with additional Notes, Lyrics, and Singers’ bios:
Song Lyrics & Translation
We Shall Light a Thousand Candles (David Rasbach)
We shall light a thousand candles, dispelling the night with a glorious morn, We shall sing a thousand candles proclaiming our wonderful Savior is born!
Tell it far and tell it near Speak of the love He gave us Ev’ry nation needs to hear “Jesus was born to save us.”
We shall light a thousand candles, dispelling the night with a glorious morn, We shall sing a thousand candles proclaiming our wonderful Savior is born.
Go into the blinding night, Sing of this great salvation. Take the glorious Gospel light to ev’ry tongue and nation.
We shall light a thousand candles, dispelling the night with a glorious morn, We shall sing a thousand candles proclaiming our wonderful Savior is born.
Hodie Christus natus est
Hodie Christus natus est hodie Salvator apparuit: hodie in terra canunt Angeli, laetantur Archangeli: hodie exsultant justi, dicentes: Gloria in excelsis Deo, alleluja.
[Translation from Latin]
Today is Christ born; today the Savior has appeared; today the Angels sing, the Archangels rejoice; today the righteous rejoice, saying: Glory to God in the highest. Alleluia!
O Magnum Mysterium (Andrea Gabrieli)
O magnum mysterium. Et admirabile sacramentum Ut animalia viderent Dominum natum, Jacentem in praesepio! Beata Virgo, cujus viscera meruerunt portare Dominum Christum. Alleluia.
[Translation from Latin]
O great mystery, and wonderful sacrament, that animals should see the newborn Lord, lying in a manger! Blessed is the virgin whose womb was worthy
to bear the Lord, Jesus Christ. Alleluia!
A Hymn to the Virgin. (Anon.)
[Translation from Latin]
Of one that is so fair and bright. Velut maris stella [like a star]
Brighter than the day is light, Parens et puella [Mother & maiden]
I cry to the, thou see to me, Lady, pray thy Son for me, Tam pia [so pure/holy]
That I may come to thee. Maria [Mary].
All this world was forlorn Eva peccatrice [Because of Eve, a sinner]
Till our Lord was y-born De te genetrice [Through you, his mother]
With ave it went away
Darkest night and comes the day. Salutis [Of salvation]
The well springeth out of thee, Virtutis [Of virture]
Lady, flow’r of everything, Rose sine spina [Rose without a thorn]
Thou bore Jesu, Heaven’s King, Gratia divina [By divine grace]
Of all thou bear'st the prize, Lady, queen of paradise Electa [Chosen one]
Maid mild, mother es Effecta [You were made].
Übers Gebirg Maria geht (Johann Eccard)
Über's Gebirg' Maria geht,Zu ihrer Bas' Elisabeth.
Sie grüßt die Freundin, die vom Geist,Freudig bewegt Maria preist.Und sie des Herren Mutter nennt.
Maria ward fröhlich und sang:
Mein' Seel' den Herrn erhebet,
Mein Geist sich Gottes freuet; Er ist mein Heiland, fürchtet ihn, Er will allzeit barmherzig sein.
Was bleiben immer wir daheim? Lasst uns auch auf's Gebirge geh'n, Da eins dem andern spreche zu
Des Geistes Gruß das Herz auftu', Davon es freudig werd' und spring', Der Mund in wahrem Glauben sing':
Mein' Seel'den Herrn erhebet, Mein Geist sich Gottes freuet…
[Translation from German]
Maria walks across the mountains to her cousin Elizabeth. She greets the friend who joyfully moved
by the Spirit praises her, and calls her Mother of the Lord; Maria became full of joy and sang:
My soul magnifies the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God; He is my Savior to be feared, He shall always be merciful.
Why ever are we staying home? Let us, too, go to the mountains, where we encourage each other, and the Spirit’s greetings open the heart, to grow joyful and excited, and the mouth sings in true faith: My soul magnifies the Lord...
Frohlocket, ihr Völker auf Erden (Felix Mendelssohn)
Frohlocket, ihr Völker auf Erden, und preiset Gott! Der Heiland ist erschienen, denn der Herr verheißen. Er hat seine Gerechtigkeit der Welt offenbaret. Halleluja!
[Translation from German]
Rejoice, ye people on earth, and praise the Lord! The Saviour has appeared, whom the Lord has promised. He has manifested his justice to the world. Hallelujah!
O Heiland, reiss die Himmel auf (Johannes Brahms)
O Heiland, reiß die Himmel auf, herab, herab vom Himmel lauf, reiß ab vom Himmel Tor und Tür, reiß ab, wo Schloss und Riegel für.
O Gott, ein’ Tau vom Himmel gieß, im Tau herab, o Heiland, fließ. Ihr Wolken, brecht und regnet aus den König über Jakobs Haus.
O Erd, schlag aus, schlag aus, o Erd, dass Berg und Tal grün alles werd.
O Erd, herfür dies Blümlein bring, o Heiland, aus der Erden spring. Wo bleibst du, Trost der ganzen Welt, darauf sie all ihr Hoffnung stellt? O komm, ach komm vom höchsten Saal, komm, tröst uns hier im Jammertal.
O klare Sonn, du schöner Stern, dich wollten wir anschauen gern; o Sonn, geh auf, ohn deinen Schein in Finsternis wir alle sein.
Hier leiden wir die größte Not, vor Augen steht der ewig Tod. Ach komm, führ uns mit starker Hand vom Elend zu dem Vaterland.
Da wollen wir all danken dir, unserm Erlöser, für und für; da wollen wir all loben dich zu aller Zeit und ewiglich.
[Translation from German]
O Saviour, tear open the heavens, flow down to us from heaven above; tear off heaven’s gate and door, tear off every lock and bar.
O God, a dew from heaven pour; in the dew, O Saviour, downward flow. Break, you clouds, and rain down the king of Jacob’s house.
O earth, burst forth, burst forth, O earth, so that mountain and valley all become green; O earth, bring forth this little flower; O Saviour, spring forth out of the earth.
Here we suffer the greatest distress; before our eyes stands bitter death. Ah, come lead us with your powerful hand from this misery to our Father’s land.
Therefore we all want to thank you, our Redeemer, for ever and ever. Therefore we also want to praise you at all times, always, and forever. Amen.
Frohlocket ihr Gerechten (Josef Rheinberger)
Frohlocket, ihr Gerechten, frohlocket dem Herrn, denn den Redlichen ziemt Lobgesang.
Preiset den Herrn, singet ihm ein neues Lied mit Harfenspiel und Psalter! Denn des Herrn Wort ist aufrichtig, treu sind alle seine Werke.
Sein Mund sprach, und es ist geworden!
Er befahl, und es war geschaffen! Selig das Volk, das der Herr sich er wählt hat!
[Translation from German]
Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
Praise the Lord, sing him a new song with harp and psaltery! For the word of the Lord is upright, all his works are faithful. His mouth spoke, and it came to be!
He commanded, and it was created! Blessed is the people that the Lord has chosen for himself!
Layla Tal Milad (Palestinian Carol)
[Translation from Arabic]
On Christmas night, hatred vanishes On Christmas night, the earth blooms On Christmas night, war is buried On Christmas night, love is born.
When we offer a glass of water to a thirsty person, we are in Christmas When we clothe a naked person with a gown of love, we are in Christmas When we wipe the tears from weeping eyes, we are in Christmas When we cushion a hopeless heart with love, we are in Christmas
On Christmas night…
When I kiss a friend without hypocrisy, I am in Christmas When the spirit of revenge dies in me, I am in Christmas When hardness is gone from my heart, I am in Christmas When my soul melts in the being of God, I am in Christmas.
On Christmas night…
A Yiddish Lullaby (Mordechai Gebirtig)
[Translation from Yiddish]
Sleep, oh sleep my Yankele, my baby, Be silent now and close your weary eyes.
The little child who is no more a baby Must now his mother sing him lullabies?
That little child who is no more a baby, Who very soon to school will wend his way, And learn to read the Torah and Talmud, Should he now cry while in his bed he lay?
The young boy who at school excels in learning Whose father’s heart is bursting now with pride, The boy who will grow up to learn the Talmud, Must he disturb his mother’s peaceful night?
The boy who has grown up to be a scholar, The boy who has a clever business head, The boy who very soon is to be married, Should he lie like a baby in his bed?
So sleep now little boy, my clever bridegroom, You lie there in your cradle next to mine.
Your mother will have many tears and troubles, Before you leave your baby days behind.
Hela Rotan (Indonesian Folk Song)
Hela, hela rotan, hela, hela, ….hela Rotan-e!
Hela, hela rotan-e, rotan-e, tifa Jawa, Jawa ebabunyi
Jawa ebaguna. Rotan, rotan sudah putus, sudah putus ujung dua, dua baku dapa-e. Rotan, rotan sudah putus, sudah putus ujung dua, dua baku dapa-e.
Hela, hela rotan, hela, hela, ….hela Rotan-e!
Manga, manga muda-e, manis-e. Manga, manga datang dari Nila. Nona, non muka manis, muka manus bikin sinyo, sinyo jadi gila-e. Nona, non muka manis, muka manus bikin sinyo, sinyo jadi gila-e.
[Notes]
Hela Rotan (“Pull the Rattan”) is a popular Indonesian folksong from the island of Maluku (Moluccas). It tells about the traditional game of tug of war of the people of Maluku using rattan. In this game, even though we compete, the party that wins or loses will get a prize, namely: “togetherness”. Hela Rotan is a call to live in togetherness.
[Intermisson]
I Saw Three Ships (Trad. English)
I saw three ships come sailing in
On Christmas day, on Christmas day
I saw three ships come sailing in
On Christmas day in the morning
And what was in those ships, all three
On Christmas day, on Christmas day?
And what was in those ships, all three
On Christmas day in the morning?
Our Saviour, Christ, and His Lady
On Christmas day, on Christmas day
Our Saviour, Christ, and His Lady
On Christmas day in the morning
Pray whither sailed those ships all three
On Christmas day, on Christmas day?
Pray whither sailed those ships all three On Christmas day in the morning?
O they sailed into Bethlehem
On Christmas day, on Christmas day.
O they sailed into Bethlehem On Christmas day in the morning.
And all the bells on earth shall ring On Christmas day, on Christmas day
And all the bells on earth shall ring On Christmas day in the morning.
Then let us all rejoice amain, On Christmas day, on Christmas day
Then let us all rejoice amain, On Christmas day in the morning.
And all the bells on earth shall ring Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice, rejoice!
Coventry Carol (Trad. English)
Lullay, thou little tiny child, bye bye, lully, lullay. Lullay, thou little tiny child, by bye, lully, lullay. Bye bye, bye bye, Lully, lullay, Bye bye, Bye bye!
O sisters too, how may we do, For to preserve this day
This poor youngling for whom we sing, "Bye bye, lully, bye bye lullay"?
Herod the king, in his raging, Chargèd he hath this day His men of might in his own sight, All young children to slay.
Then woe is me, poor child, for thee, And ever mourn and say, For thy parting neither say nor sing, "Bye bye, lully, lullay." Bye bye, bye bye, bye bye, bye bye.
Wexford Carol (Trad. Ireland)
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
Near Bethlehem did shepherds keep Their flocks of lambs and feeding sheep, To whom God's angels did appear, Which put the shepherds in great fear
'Prepare 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, this 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 the virgin maid Attending on the Lord of life, Who came on earth to end all strife
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
Carol of the Russian Children/The Sleigh (Trad. Russian/Ivor Tchervanow)
Snowbound mountains, snowbound valleys.
Snowbound plateaus clad in white, Little Jesu, little mother, good Saint Joseph, come this night.
Lightly flying o’er the snow, with a “Hey Ha Ha!” and a “Ho Ha Ho!’ With sleighbells ringing, gaily singing, merrily we go! All the world a blanket white of snow so cold and crisp and light, with sharp winds blowing, we are going onward through the night! [Repeat]
What Sweeter Music Can We Bring? (Robert Herrick)
What sweeter music can we bring
Than a carol for to sing
The birth of this our Heavenly King?
Awake the voice, awake the string
Dark and dull night, fly hence away
And give the honor to this day
That sees December turned to May
That sees December turned to May
Why does the chilling winter's mourn
Smile, like a field beset with corn?
Or smell like a meadow newly-shorn
Thus, on the sudden? Come and see
The 'cause, why things thus fragrant be
It is He is born, whose quickening birth
Gives life and luster, public mirth
To Heaven, and the under-Earth
We see him come, and know him ours
Who with his sunshine and his showers
Turns all the patient ground to flowers
Turns all the patient ground to flowers
The darling of the world is come And fit it is, we find a room
To welcome him, to welcome him
The nobler part of all the house here is the heart
Which we will give him, and bequeath
This holy and this ivy wreath
To do him honour, who's our King
And Lord of all this revelling
What sweeter music can we bring Than a carol for to sing
The birth of this our Heavenly King?
Of this our Heavenly King, our King
Infant Holy, Infant Lowly (Trad. Polish)
Infant holy, infant lowly, for His bed a cattle stall; oxen lowing, little knowing
Christ, the babe, is Lord of all.
Swift are winging angels singing, noels ringing, tidings bringing: Christ the babe is Lord of all!
Christ the babe is Lord of all!
Flocks were sleeping, shepherds keeping vigil till the morning new saw the glory, heard the story,
tidings of the gospel true. Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow, praises voicing, greet the morrow: Christ the babe was born for you; Christ the babe was born for you.
The Lamb (William Blake)
Little Lamb who made thee
Dost thou know who made thee
Gave thee life & bid thee feed. By the stream & o’er the mead; Gave thee clothing of delight, Softest clothing wooly bright; Gave thee such a tender voice, Making all the vales rejoice!
Little Lamb who made thee
Dost thou know who made thee
Little Lamb, I’ll tell thee, Little Lamb, I’ll tell thee!
He is called by the name, For he calls himself a Lamb; He is meek & he is mild, He became a little child; I a child & thou a lamb, We are called by his name. Little Lamb God bless thee. Little Lamb God bless thee.
Mary Had a Baby (Trad. Spiritual)
Mary had a baby, O Lord, Mary had a baby, O my Lord. Mary had a baby, O Lord, the people keep a-comin’ and the train done gone.
Laid him in a manger, O Lord, laid him in a manger, O my Lord, they laid him in a manger, O Lord, I’m singin’ glory, glory, singin’ glory, glory, singin’ slory, glory, hallelujah. The people keep a-comin’ and the train done gone. Shepherds came to see Him, O Lord, Shepherds came to see Him, O my Lord, shepherds came to see him, O Lord, I’m singin’ glory, glory, singin’ glory, glory, singin’ slory, glory, hallelujah. The people keep a-comin’ and
the train done gone.
Mary had a baby, Mary had a baby..
Named him King Jesus, O Lord, named him King Jesus, O my Lord, named him King Jesus, O Lord, The people keep a-comin’ and the train done gone.
Deck the Halls (Trad. English)
Deck the halls with boughs of holly, fa la la la la...
‘Tis the season to be jolly, fa la la la la…
Don we now our gay apparel, fa la la, fa la la
Troll the ancient yuletide carol, fa la la la la…
See the blazing yule before us…
Strike the harp and join the chorus…
Follow me in merry measure….
While I tell of yuletide treasure…
Deck the halls with boughs of holly, fa la la….!
Thank you for supporting the Rocky Mountain Chamber Singers.
