Price codeD
Christmas, midwinter, New YearCatalogue no. 4092
In Bethlehem, that fair city
Music: Douglas Cook, Words: Anon
Voicing: SSA
Performance time approx: 2m 30s
Range S1: c#' – g'' / S2: c#' – e'' / A: g – d''
Price code: D
Complexity:
The set includes:
Peals of bells and singing for joy are evoked in this Christmas piece by Douglas Cook. As in the original carol, the lyrics are in a mixture of English and Latin, shared between the different parts. All voices in turn cascade downward and rise upward, coming together at brief resting points before taking off again – and the word “Alleluia” sounds through nearly the entire piece.
Musically, the piece repeats after the half way point, with different words. Enjoy!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia… [God be praised]
In Bethlehem, that fair city,
Was born a child that was so free,
Lord and Prince of high degree,
Iam lucis orto sidere. [The star of light now having risen]
In Bethlehem, that fair city,
A solis ortus cardine. [Arisen from the quarter of the sun]
Him to serve, God give us grace,
O lux beata Trinitas. [O blessed light of the Trinity]
Then be all merry in this house,
Exultet coelum laudibus. [Let heaven rejoice with praises]
Based on a 15th century English carol published in Ancient English Christmas Carols: 1400 – 1700 by Edith Rickert (Chatto & Windus, 1914)