SET
Christmas, midwinter, New YearCatalogue no. 4057
Awake were they only
based on the Welsh plygain carol Roedd yn y wlad honno
Music: Trad. Welsh melody, arranged by Sheena Phillips, Words: English by K.E.Roberts (1877-1962), based on the original Welsh
Voicing: TTB
Performance time approx: 3m 00s
Range Solo: f# – e' / T1: f# – f#' / T2: f# – d'; / B: A – a
Price code:
Complexity:
This piece is part of the set "Two Welsh carols".
It is not available for purchase as a single piece.
The set also includes:
The tune and words to this beautiful carol about the revelation of heavenly light and wisdom were published in The Oxford Book of Carols (1928). Solo sections alternate with simply harmonised tutti sections, in the manner typical of the Welsh plygain tradition.
The recording is by the men of the Magpie Consort of Columbus, OH.
Awake were they only, those shepherds so lonely,
On guard in that silence profound:
When colour had faded, when night-time had shaded
Their senses from sight and from sound.
Lo, then broke a wonder, then drifted asunder
The veils from the splendour of God,
When light from the Holy came down to the lowly,
And heav'n to the earth that they trod.
May light now enfold us, O Lord, for behold us
Like shepherds, from tumult withdrawn,
Nor hearing, nor seeing, all other care fleeing,
We wait the ineffable dawn.
O Spirit all-knowing, thou source overflowing,
O move in the darkness around,
That sight may be in us, true hearing to win us
Glad tidings where Christ may be found.
K.E. Roberts
The Welsh Roedd yn y wlad honno, based on Luke 2.8, is attributed to Owen Roberts (c.1800). English words, paraphrased by K. E. Roberts (1877 – 1962), from The Oxford Book of Carols © Oxford University Press 1928. All rights reserved.
(Used with permission)