Christmas Concert

Candles weep wax tears,
As voices sing the old songs,
And we remember.

Mark is the music director of a ladies choir and it was their christmas concert tonight. They rehearse in a church hall so the concert is held in the church, which is actually a huge space. The equally huge Christmas tree was lit up (not sure how they got it in there or how they got the lights to the top). Also lit were the candles. As always the singing was lovely, some old favourites where we all joined in (although never yet managed to get the right key for hark the herald angels ..), along with some lovely arrangements of other songs.

I'm not a religious person but I do respond to the familiarity and ritual of Christmas, and to the poetry of the words. So many wonderful words which we no longer use, such as "thither".

I find Christmas a poignant time, as it inevitably makes you think of previous Christmases and of those no longer there to share it with you. It is hard not to be moved by the words and music.

One song which was new to me was "There is no rose", the music and arrangement is Benjamin Britten and is so moving and fitting, the words apparently originate from the 14th century and are mesmerically beautiful.

There is no rose of such vertu
As is the rose that bare Jesu.
Alleluia, Alleluia.

For in this rose conteinèd was
Heaven and earth in litel space,
Res miranda, Res miranda. (Wonderful thing)

By that rose we may well see
There be one God in persons three,
Pares forma, Pares forma. (Of the same form)

The aungels sungen the shepherds to:
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Gaudeamus, Gaudeamus. (Let us rejoice)

Leave we all this werldly mirth,
And follow we this joyful birth.
Transeamus, Transeamus. (Let us go)

A clip of some people singing it here

Very late posting this (again), so off to my bed.... catch up with you all tomorrow - thanks for those sticking with me despite lack of response!!