Wexford Carol - Irish Traditional Christmas Carol. Clare College, Cambridge. Arr. Rutter

This is one of those Christmas Carols which, while not among the familiar carols in the Christmas Charts, is quietly and utterly lovely - especially as arranged here by John Rutter. A beautiful performance also, by the choir of Clare College, Cambridge, England. Wikipedia entry: "The Wexford Carol (Irish: Carúl Loch Garman, Carúl Inis Córthaidh) is a traditional religious Irish Christmas carol originating from County Wexford and, specifically, Enniscorthy (whence its other name), dating to the 12th century [but see below].The subject of the song is that of the nativity of Jesus Christ. This lovely tune, remarkable for its haunting Mixolydian mode form, is unlikely to be 12th century [as has been claimed]. The words are maybe older than the tune, which likely came from the wave of Irish Music during the late 18th and through the entire 19th century, American Civil War period. Such rhyming words and tune structure had not been invented sufficiently in the 12th century, and it looks more like the 16th if it can be proven to be earlier than the 18-19th." Lyrics 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. The night before that happy tide, The noble Virgin and her guide Were long time seeking up and down To find a lodging in the town. But mark right well what came to pass From every door repelled, alas, As was foretold, their refuge all Was but a humble ox's stall. Near Bethlehem did shepherds keep Their flocks of lambs and feeding sheep To whom God's angel did appear Which put the shepherds in great fear Arise 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 the 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 a virgin maid Attending on the Lord of Life Who came on earth to end all strife There were three wise men from afar Directed by a glorious star And on they wandered night and day Until they came where Jesus lay And when they came unto that place Where our beloved Messiah lay They humbly cast them at his feet With gifts of gold and incense sweet. Images Alas, I have never visited Wexford, Ireland. By way of a substitute, I took these pictures near my home in the Peak District, Derbyshire, England. The penultimate image is a painting: "The Wilton Diptych" (c. 1395--1399) a small portable diptych of two hinged panels painted on both sides (tempera on oak) now in the National Gallery, London. Final photo: a Little Owl, with baleful look, on my snowy fence. Performance Choir of Clare College, Cambridge Arr: John Rutter CBE Decca Argo