Midnight clear (Peter Smith)

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  • (Posted 2014-10-07)  CPDL #33090:  Network.png
Editor: Peter Smith (submitted 2014-10-07).   Score information: A4, 93 pages, 545 kB   Copyright: CPDL
Edition notes: Vocal score and instrumental parts available on request.

General Information

Title: Midnight clear
Composer: Peter Smith
Lyricist:

Number of voices: 4vv   Voicing: SATB
Genre: SacredCantata for Christmas

Language: English
Instruments: String ensemble

First published: 2014
Description: Settings of five Christmas Carols using the words but not the original tunes (apart from a hidden reference) for choir, soprano solo, harp and strings.

External websites:

Original text and translations

Original text and translations may be found at Adeste fideles.

English.png English text

This endris night I saw a sight
a star as bright as day;
and ever among a maiden sung,
“Lully, by by, lully.”

This lovely lady sat and sung,
and to her Child did say:
“My son, my brother, father, dear,
Why liest thou thus in hay?”

The Child then spake in His talking,
And to his mother said:
“Yea, I am known as Heaven-King,
In crib though I be laid.

“For angels bright down to Me light:
Thou knowest ’tis no nay:
And for that sight thou may’st delight
To sing, By by, lullay.”

“Mary mother, I am thy Child,
Though I be laid in stall;
For lords and dukes shall worship Me,
And so shall kingès all.

“Ye shall well see that kingès three
 Shall come on this twelfth day.
 For this behest give Me thy breast
 And sing, By by, lullay.”

“That child or man, who will or can
Be merry on my day,
To bliss Thou bring – and I shall sing,
Lullay, by by, lullay.”

Original text and translations may be found at While shepherds watched their flocks by night.

Original text and translations may be found at It came upon the midnight clear.

 

Unto us a boy is born,
King of all creation:
Came he to a world forlorn,
the Lord of every nation,
The Lord of every nation.

Cradled in a stall was he
With sleepy cows and asses;
But the very beasts could see
that He all men surpasses.

Herod then with fear was filled:
'A prince', he said, 'In Jewry!'
All the little boys be killed
At Bethlehem in his fury.

Now may Mary's Son, who came
So long ago to love us,
Lead us all with hearts aflame
Unto the joys above us.

Omega and Alpha He!
Let the organ thunder,
While the choir with peals of glee
Doth rend the air asunder.