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Lyrics |
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Christmas Cantata
2 It is written Recitative 3 Angel Bar. solo & chorus (5.17) 4 All this took place Recitative 5 Mary Mezzo solo & chorus (5.20) 6 Behold, I send my messenger Recitative 7 Blessed Chorus (5.24) 8 And so it was Recitative 9 Lullaby Mezzo-soprano & chorus (4.09) 10 And there were shepherds Recitative 11 Gloria Chorus (4.10) 12 When the angels Recitative 13 Shepherds Barbershop octet (3.30) 14 When they had seen him Recitative 15 Wake Solo, children's chorus & chorus (4.00) Interval 16 Lord, our Lord Chorus 17 Now there was a man Recitative 18 Master, now Bar. solo & chorus (3.50) 19 Now when Jesus was born Recitative 20 You, Bethlehem Trio & chorus (6.15) 21 And when they came Recitative 22 The star Tenor solo (4.47) 23 The oracle Recitative 24 Rorate coeli Chorus (5.00) 25 When Herod Recitative 26 A voice is heard in Ramah Sop. solo & chorus (4.54) 27 When Israel was a child Recitative 28 News Tenor solo & chorus (4.15) 29 The vision of Isaiah ben Amoz Recitative 30 Arise Chorus & solos (9.35) 31 Amen Chorus 1 Before all things Sop. solo & chorus (6.05) Before all things began, before all things there was the Word. The Word was there with God before all things and he himself was God All things through him were made and without him was nothing made All things through him were made and without him was nothing made that's made. And in the Word was life, the life was light for humankind The light keeps shining in the darkness, the darkness does not comprehend The Word became a man, a man who lived with us a while And we his glory saw, the glory of the Father's only Son For full of grace was he, for he was full of truth and grace And from his fullness we have all had kindness after kindness. No-one has ever seen God, God's only Son has made him known No-one has ever seen God, God's only Son has made him known He came into the world, into the world which he had made He came to his own place and his own people did not welcome him And yet all those who did receive him, he made them children of God And yet all those who did receive him, he made them children of God. Before all things began, before all things there was the Word The Word became a man and lived among us to make us children of God 2 It is written in the gospel according to St Luke: The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town in Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. The girl's name was Mary (St Luke 1:26,27). 3 Angel The angel Gabriel came to Mary and swiftly did he fly And 'Hail,' he said, 'most highly favoured lady!' The girl was scared and didn't know just how she should reply Ah, hush now, child, don't be afraid The Lord has seen his serving maid And from this day to the end of time All generations will bless your name Behold you will conceive and bear a son And he will be the child of the Mighty One And Jesus will be the name you'll give him The Saviour - who'll save his people from their sin And Mary said to the angel, 'Sir, how can this wonder be?' There's no reason why that should occur. So I don't understand how it could happen or why he's chosen me But let it be just as your word Nothing's impossible for the Lord And nothing's too much for his serving maid And I'm ready for all that the Lord has said The Holy Ghost will overshadow you And the power of God Most High will cover you And therefore the holy child will be the son of God Immanuel - the great king come into the world And it happened just as the angel told her-Mary's boy was born She laid him in a manger where cattle are fed The stars looked through the spaces of heaven upon that Christmas morn At the king of glory in a humble bed The Lord of life come among the dead High heaven's bright sun coming down to a little house in a little town Blessed are all who know what the Lord desires And blessed are all who do what the Lord requires And blessed is she who has believed the angel's word And who trusted God, and brought the Christ into the world 4 All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" which means, "God with us" (St Matthew 1:22-23). And Mary said: 5 Mary My soul shall magnify the Lord!... My spirit rejoices in God my Saviour For he has remembered my lowly estate. Now for ever all peoples will bless me for the Mighty One has done great things for me and holy is his name! My soul shall magnify the Lord!... He always has mercy on all those who fear him from all generations to generations. He has acted in power and scattered the proud, and scattered the proud of heart. For he has brought down rulers from their thrones and has exalted the meek. And he has satisfied the poor hungry with good things And sent the wealthy empty away. He helped his servant Israel remembering in his mercy to send us Messiah he promised of old. For he swore to Abraham and all our fathers that he would be our God for evermore. My soul shall magnify the Lord!... 6 Behold, I send my messenger who shall prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord, whom you seek, shall come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold! he shall come, says the Lord of hosts (Malachi 3:1). 7 Blessed be the Lord Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel For he has appeared to save his people He has raised up a Saviour from the house of David, as he promised through his prophets long, long ago, to deliver us from the power of all who hate us and to rescue our lives from the hand of our foe! Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel For he has appeared to save his people He remembered his promise to Abraham our father: To redeem us from the power of our enemies So that we may live before him and worship freely In holiness and righteousness all our days. And you, my son, will be a prophet of God For you will prepare the way of the Lord And teach his people the way of salvation. Then by the tender mercy of God The sun from heaven shall shine on us And guide our feet in the ways of peace Blessed be the Lord Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel For he has appeared to save his people 8 And so it was that, while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn (St Luke 2:6-7). 9 Lullaby Hush and do not cry, my baby. Close your eyes, my little son. Hush and do not cry, my baby. Go to sleep, my perfect one. See the angels winging all across the sky. Hear the news they're bringing; it's you they praise on high. Hush, the angels love you; mummy loves you too. And the stars are singing a lullaby to you. Hush and do not cry, my baby . . . When the angel told me I would bear a king, my heart began to tremble, my soul began to sing. Now you've come, my darling; all my joy and pain. If I should ever lose you, my tears would fall like rain. Hush and do not cry, my baby . . . 10 And there were shepherds living out in the fields near by, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And behold! an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them: "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that shall be for all the people. For today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Lord Messiah. And this will be a sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger." Suddenly a multitude of the armies of heaven appeared with the angel, praising God and saying: (St Luke 2:8-13). 11 Gloria Udumo kalube uNkulunkulu kwelipezulu lokutul' emhlabeni ebantwini abatokozelwa nguye (Zulu) O glory in the highest to God and peace on earth to men on whom his favour rests De doxa en hupsistois theo kai epi ges eirene en anthropois eudokias (Greek) 12 When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another: "Let's go to Bethlehem right now and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about" (St Luke 2:15-16). 14 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. 15 Wake Wake, little children, the angels are singing 'Glory to God!' for our Jesus is born The stars of the sky with their praises are ringing The song will go on and on The song will go on and on Wake, little children, the angels are singing 'Joy to the world!' for our Jesus is born The stars of the sky with their praises are ringing The song will go on and on The song will go on and on Shepherds on the hillside were watching by night When to their amazement, behold, a great light! Angels singing, 'Glory and peace on earth!' Telling out the story of Jesus's birth Wake, little children, the angels are singing 'Glory to God!' for our Jesus is born The stars of the sky with their praises are ringing The song will go on and on The song will go on and on The shepherds started singing the heavenly song Everybody heard it and sang along The Gospel train is coming so get on board O come on, little children, and sing to the Lord Everyone shall hear it and turn to our King All earth's weary peoples shall hope again Until all the nations shall walk in his ways And give all the glory and honour and praise Hey, everybody, the angels are singing 'Joy to the world!' for our Jesus is born The stars of the sky with their praises are ringing The song will go on and on The song will go on and on Wake up the world for the angels are singing 'Glory to God!' for our Jesus is born The stars of the sky with their praises are ringing The song will go on and on The song will go on and on 16 Lord, our Lord Lord, our Lord, how excellent is your name in all the earth! You who set your resplendence upon the starry universe. From lips of babes and children's praise you founded a defence against your enemies, to quell the foe and the avenger. When I look up at the heavens above, the works your fingers made, the moon and the stars that appear in the night which you have set in place: What is the life of mortal man that you should give him thought? Who is the son of man that you should look upon his lot? But you made him a little less than the immortals and on his brow a royal crown you set; You made him king of all the works of your hands and set all things beneath his feet: Sheep and cattle and beasts of the field and creatures wild and free, birds that fly over the heavens above and fish that swim the sea, and everything that's travelling within the ocean's path. Lord, our Lord, how excellent your name in all the earth! 17 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, and he was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Messiah of the Lord. Moved by the Holy Spirit, he came into the temple. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God (St Luke 2:25-28). 18 Master, now Master, now release your servant As you have promised in peace For my eyes have seen your Saviour The Saviour of the world Master, now release your servant Master, now release your servant Master, now release your servant As you have promised, in peace For my eyes have seen your Saviour For my eyes have seen your Saviour For my eyes have seen your Saviour The Saviour of the world Master, now release your servant As you have promised in peace For my eyes have seen your Saviour The Saviour of the world A light to shine on all the nations A light to shine on all the nations A light to shine on all the nations And glory to your people Israel 19 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, in the days of Herod the king, behold! Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one born king of the Jews? We have seen his star in the east and have come to worship him" (St Matthew 2:1-2). 20 You, Bethlehem You, Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the cities of Judah For out of you will come a ruler, out of you will come a ruler Who will be the shepherd of my people Israel And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord In the majesty of the Lord his God And they shall dwell secure, for he shall be king to the ends of the earth And he shall be our peace For this is what the prophet has spoken: v'attah beyt-lehem efrata, tsa'ir lihyot b'alfey y'udah mimkha li yetse lihyot moshel b'yisroel 21 And when they came to the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshipped him. Then opening their treasures, they offered him gifts: gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another route (St Matthew 2:11-12). 22 The star We reached the town by night; the star was shining as we crossed the empty street. The sky was dark beside its light and Bethlehem lay fast asleep Beneath the mighty constellations turning the camels came like ships toward the shore; The star stopped overhead and in the light it shed we knocked upon a door. Yes I remember the journey to Bethlehem: The star up above, the star of the lord of love. A baby was born and the whole world died to me, when I saw the star rise in the skies, the star that appeared at the birth of the Christ. The door was opened wide and then we saw the child, the promised from of old. We gave him myrrh and frankincense; We offered to the great king gold. The star was gone when later we departed; we didn't need its light upon our way The morning star was high, and in the radiant sky There rose a bright new day. Yes I remember the journey to Bethlehem: The light in our blindness, the star of the king of kindness A baby was born and the whole world died to me, when I saw the star rise in the skies, the star that appeared at the birth of the Christ. 23 The oracle of Balaam ben Beor, The oracle of the one whose eye is open the oracle of him who hears the words of God, who has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened: I see him, but not now! I behold him, but not near! A star goes forth from Jacob; a sceptre arises from Israel. 24 Rorate coeli Rorate coeli de super Rain down, you heavens, righteousness For now is risen the bright Daystar From Mary sweet, the faultless Rose And he shall shine from sea to sea And from the sunrise to the west To him all kings shall bow the knee Pro nobis puer natus est! Then bow down, mortals, and revere And thank your Maker heartily For he that you could not draw near To you comes in humility Your ransom with his life to make And free you from the fiend's arrest And only for his kindness' sake Pro nobis puer natus est! Sing sun and moon and stars of light! And all the air make harmony All fish in swim and birds in flight Be joyful and make melody All Gloria in excelsis! cry In heaven and earth, man, bird, and beast To him enthroned above the sky Pro nobis puer natus est! 25 When Herod saw that he had been fooled by the Magi, he was consumed with fury, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the Magi. Then was fulfilled what was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet: (St Matthew 2:16-17). 26 A voice is heard in Ramah A voice is heard in Ramah Wailing and loud lamentation Rachel weeping for her children Because they are no more She refuses to be comforted Because they are no more 27 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. But the more I called Israel, the more they went from me. They served the Baals and burned incense to idols. Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, holding their hands; but they did not know it was I who helped them. I led them with cords of kindness, with bonds of love; I became to them a lifter of the yoke from their neck and I bent down to feed them. Will they not return to Egypt; won't Assyria be their king since they refuse to turn? The sword shall flash in their cities, and destroy their gates and consume all their plans (Hosea 11:1-6). 28 News What does it matter if a star appeared long before your time And was seen in deep dark sky? What does it matter if mystics went forgotten miles to find The star child from on high? What does it matter anyway? It's no good news for you If the star arose a hundred times and did not rise in you What does it matter if angel choirs announced the holy day Singing, "Glory! Peace on earth!"? What does it matter if shepherds ran to seek him where he lay And worship at his birth? What does it matter anyway? It's no good news for you If the angels sang a hundred times and did not sing in you How long will you keep on struggling with your soul? Forsake your ways, O man Believe the gospel while you can What does it matter if the Son of God was born of womankind To cancel Adam's Fall? What does it matter what he endured to pardon all your crimes And you don't care at all? What does it matter anyway? It's no good news for you If he was born a hundred times and is not born in you 29 The vision of Isaiah ben Amoz concerning Judah and Jerusalem: It shall be in the latter days that the mountain of the temple of the Lord shall be established as chief among the mountains; it shall be raised above the hills and all the nations shall stream to it.And many peoples shall come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, and he will teach us his ways, and we shall walk in his paths." For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And he shall judge between the nations and shall settle disputes for many peoples. They shall beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not take up sword against nation, neither shall they train for war any more (Isaiah 2:1-4). 30 Arise Arise and shine your light is come! And the glory of the Lord shines down on you. Arise, shine your light is come! The glory of the Lord shines down on you at the rising of your dawn. Lift your eyes and look around you kings of nations come in view. Wake up, Israel, the time is come and your God is going to shine on you. Arise and shine your light is come! And the glory of the Lord shines down on you. Arise, shine your light is come! See your children scattered in the world by their number coming home. Gold for iron will he give you; All the old things will be new. Wake up, Daughter Zion, take your crown and the Lord your God will shine on you. Though for years you've been forsaken, you'll be the joy of endless days; You will call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise. Arise, shine your light is come! The Lord will be your everlasting light and your days of sorrow will be done. You won't need the sun to guide you, the moon will fade away from view. Wake up, sleeper, rise up from the dead and Jesus Christ will shine Wake up, sleeper, rise up from the dead and Jesus Christ will shine on you Arise and shine your light is come! And the glory of the Lord shines down on you. Arise, shine your light is come! And the glory of the Lord! And the glory of the Lord! And the glory of the Lord shines down on you! 31 Amen. |