This isn't the most popular tune for this particular carol; though it is in Carols for Choirs 1, I've never heard it sung in a service.
Any mother will tell you that "no crying he makes" is a complete fiction; it's bad theology to imply that the Christ child was not fully human, as well as fully divine. But I like this tune, so here you go.
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head. The stars in the bright sky looked down where He lay, The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes, But little Lord Jesus no crying He makes. I love Thee, Lord Jesus! Look down from the sky, And stay by my side until morning is nigh.
Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask Thee to stay Close by me forever, and love me, I pray. Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care, And fit us for heaven, to live with Thee there.
This is very much a mixture of old and new. The words date from the 15th Century. The music dates from 2010 and is by one Chris Upton, who has released it under my favourite license, CC BY-SA.
I know about this piece of music thanks to Francis Roads, Tim Henderson and the London Gallery Quire, where I play serpent and occasionally sing a bit or wave my arms about.
I've transposed it down a semi-tone for comfort, and am playing the instrumental bassline on the horn rather than a string instrument; a string instrument or maybe a bassoon would be more historically accurate but I don't play them! And the serpent is a bit too honky for this piece. While the tune, Epiphany, is anonymous, it puts me very much in mind of the music of Phocion Henley.
I love Wesley's words, which remind me of part of the Benedictus: "Through the tender mercy of our God : whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us; To give light to them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death : and to guide our feet into the way of peace."
Wesley might not have been writing about the Holy Innocents, but I think it's an appropriate text for this day.
Sons of men, behold from far, Hail the long-expected star! Jacob's star, that gilds the night, Guides bewildered nature right. Fear not hence that ill should flow; Wars and pestilence below; Wars it bids, and tumults cease, Ush'ring in the Prince of Peace.
Mild it shines on all beneath, Piercing through the shades of death; Scatt'ring error's wide-spread night, Kindling darkness into light. Nations all, remote and near, Haste to see your God appear: Haste, for Him your hearts prepare, Meet Him manifested there.
There behold the Day-spring rise, Pouring light upon your eyes: See it chase the shades away, Shining to the perfect day. Sing, ye morning stars again, God descends on earth to reign, Deigns for man His life to employ; Shout, ye sons of God, for joy.
No, I don't have three French hens. I don't have three English hens. I don't even have one hen, of any description. I'm still eating leftover goose, if you must know.
I've been eating leftover goose, and trying to catch up with the world, and getting discouraged about politics. The Saviour of the world may have been born but looking at the state of things, "salvation" is not the word that comes to mind... and I know, I'm not suffering, I'm eating goose for crying aloud, but that doesn't actually make it all right that other people are worrying about how they're going to get health care, how they're going to feed their families, how they're going to find somewhere safe to sleep.
Swete was the song the Virgine soong When she to Bethlem Juda came And was deliver'd of hir Sonne Who blessed Jesus hath to Name. "Lulla, lulla, lulla, lullaby, Lulla, lulla, lulla, lullaby, Swete Babe!" soong shee; "My Sonne and eke my Saviour borne, Which hath vouchsafed from an high To visitt us that ware forlorne. La lulla, la lulla, la lullaby, Swete Babe!" soong she, And rockt him featly one hir knee.
If you want to let us know you're coming then respond to the Facebook Event or reply to this post, but no need to confirm: you can just turn up, if you'd rather.
We will have a small number of spare copies, which you can purchase for £2 if you want to keep them, or borrow if you don't. Don't worry if you aren't a confident singer -- follow along with the text and see what you can pick up. Everyone is welcome. If we don't have enough confident singers we can always say the liturgy instead.
This setting uses the words from Common Worship Traditional Language Compline. Various smartphone apps for this exist and it is also available from the C of E website on the day, if you're worried we won't have enough music or you'd rather just use the words.
