1. |
Make We Merry
02:38
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MAKE WE MERRY
Lyrics: Anon 15th century. Tune & Arr: Graham Pratt
Bodhran - Ciaran Boyle.
Make we merry, both more & less
For now is the time of Christemas.
1. Let no man come into this hall,
Nor groom, nor page nor yet marshal,
But that some sport he bring withal,
For now is the time of Christemas...
Make we merry, both more & less
For now is the time of Christemas.
2. If that he say he cannot sing,
Some other sport then let him bring,
That it may please at this feasting,
For now is the time of Christemas...
Make we merry, both more & less
For now is the time of Christemas.
3. If that he say he naught can do,
Then will I think him no more true
But to the stocks then let him go,
For now is the time of Christemas...
Make we merry, both more & less
For now is the time of Christemas.
4. Let no man come into this hall,
Nor groom, nor page nor yet marshal,
But that some sport he bring withal,
For now is the time of Christemas...
Make we merry, both more & less
For now is the time of Christemas.
Concert recording in front of live audience.
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2. |
Best Of All Treasure
03:10
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BEST OF ALL TREASURE
Tune: Trad Basque. Words: Selwyn Image; amended Graham Pratt.
Arr: Worrall MVC Songbook / Graham Pratt
1. Three kings in great glory with horses & men
In haste come a-riding o’er mountain & fen
Good tidings have reached them & so they would bring
The best of all treasure to greet the new king.
2. Poor shepherds lie crouching this night on the plain
Though valiant & watchful they ever remain
For wolves howl around them & cold is the air
That blows o’er the snowfield all frozen & bare.
3. Come monarchs now enter & witness the birth
Your crowns & your splendour have here little worth
The best you can offer lies not in your hand
For hearts are the coinage that babes understand.
4. Come shepherds now enter, he will not despise
These gifts that you bring him, though rude in men’s eyes
He is not arrayed here in purple & gold
This babe lies as helpless as lambs in your fold…
5. Repeat verse 1.
Concert recording in front of live audience.
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3. |
Song Of The York Waits
03:21
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SONG OF THE YORK WAITS
Lyrics: Graham Pratt & Trad/Mr Durden 17 century.
Music & Arr: Graham Pratt
1. On a winter's night, long before the day was dawnin’,
Through hail, rain, frost & snow
All around the town hear the music go.
Now clad in frieze & blanket, for which we thank the Lord,
And ale in a double tankard, our right & just reward;
For it’s past three on a frosty morn,
Good morrow, sirs, for a child is born.
Past three on a frosty morn,
Good morrow, sirs, for a child is born, Child is born.
2. On a winter's night, by the light of moon or lantern,
The old year greets the new,
With a jig, a reel or a hornpipe too.
With cornet in the middle & the curtal’s deep dark drone,
The merry dancing fiddle & the lute’s delightful tone;
For it’s past three on a frosty morn...
3. On a winter's night, long before the stars were dyin’,
With hands cold from the icy blow,
We are trampin’ round in the frost & snow.
Then, sirs, to hear the music by the Minster’s holy stone
Would make both me & you sick with the thought of hearth & home.
For it’s past three on a frosty morn...
Concert recording in front of live audience.
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4. |
Bring Us In Good Ale
04:37
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BRING US IN GOOD ALE
Main Tune: Anon c. 1400 + snippets of other folk songs.
Arr: Graham Pratt
1. Bring us in no bacon now, for that is passing fat,
But bring us in good ale now, and give us enough of that;
And bring us in good ale, good ale, bring us in good ale;
For our blessed Lady's sake, bring us in good ale.
2. Dame get up and bake your pie, bake your pie...;
Dame get up & bake your pie on Chrisimus day in the morning.
Dame what makes your maidens lie, maidens lie…?
Dame what makes your ducks to die, ducks to die…?
3. Bring us in no eggs to eat, for there are many shells,
But bring us in good ale now, and give us nothing else;
And bring us in good ale, good ale, bring us in good ale;
For our blessed Lady's sake, bring us in good ale.
4. I saw three ships come sailing by,
Saw three ships come sailing by;
By by and by; I saw three ships come sailing by.
They was gannin' to Koln upon Rhine,
They was gannin' to Koln upon Rhine;
By by and by; I saw three ships come sailing by.
Said they'd come from Beth-e-le-hem,
Said they'd come from Beth-e-le-hem!
By by and by; I saw three ships come sailing by.
5. Bring us in no venison, it will not suit our blood;
But bring us in good ale now, for that will do us good;
And bring us in good ale, good ale, bring us in good ale;
For our blessed Lady's sake, bring us in good ale.
Bring us in no beef to eat, for there are many bones,
But bring us in good ale now, for that goes down at once;
And bring us in good ale, good ale, bring us in good ale;
For our blessed Lady's sake, bring us in good ale.
6. There's mistletoe on the poplar tree,
There's mistletoe on the lime.
Great clumps do hang in the orchard there
With berries for Xmas time.
And who will cut and hang it up around the cottage door?
And who will try to avoid a kiss and who is it begs for more?
They hung it out on an old oak tree
Before the day was dark;
They kindled a fire of ash logs
By blowing the sacred spark.
They danced below the mistletoe
And who should say them nay?
For wasn't this but the longest night
And tomorrow the shortest day?
Tomorrow the shortest day, tomorrow the shortest day, good ale.
Bring us in, oh Bring us in, Bring us in, oh Bring us in.
7. Bring us in no capon's flesh, for that is often dear;
But bring us in good ale now, and we’ll have nought to fear.
And bring us in good ale, good ale, bring us in good ale;
For our blessed Lady's sake: Bring us in, Bring us in,
Bring us in GOOD ALE!
Concert recording in front of live audience.
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5. |
I Am Christmas
04:51
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I AM CHRISTMAS
Bill Meek & John Conolly. Arr: Graham Pratt
1. I will sew a braid of gold On grey December's ragged sleeve;
Teach the crabbed & jaded soul How to give, how to receive.
For rooms are thick with magic now, The tree its soft light throwing;
The mistletoe, the holly bough, My age-old spell bestowing.
2. I bring stories by the hearth, Delight in half-forgotten names;
Apple logs on fragrant fires With flick'ring faces in the flames.
And as the year draws in its days And tired leaves are falling,
I will brighten darkened ways Where dusk is early calling.
I am warmth & I am light And I am kith & kin;
A candle in your longest night,
I am Christmas, Let me in; I am Christmas, Let me in.
3. I can take the weary miles And weave a carpet to your door;
Guide the dusty wand'rers home Safely to your side once more.
And I can cheer the bitter days With tunes to set you singing;
My standard in your heart I'll raise, Joy & comfort bringing.
I am warmth & I am light…
4. I bring churches all a-glow And carols on the midnight air;
Coloured windows streaked with snow That gild the congregation there.
For young & old shall join & sing To mark the longest turning;
From one glad candle that I bring, Ten thousand more are burning.
I am warmth & I am light...
Concert recording in front of live audience.
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6. |
Christmas Again
02:59
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CHRISTMAS AGAIN
Tune: Czech Trad. New Lyrics & Arr: Graham Pratt
1. Smell of pine, auld lang syne, too much wine,
Children awake at 4 a. m.
Cherubim, seraphim, Tiny Tim; Chris’mas again.
Candlelight, Silent Night, fam’ly fight;
Singing of peace on earth to men;
Balthazar, advocaat, shiny star; Chris’mas again.
Time t’ think on the year just gone,
Time t’ let go and carry on,
Time t’ savour your very own Chris’mas again.
Time t’ cling to the friends you know,
Time t' bring out the mistletoe,
Time t’ savour your very own Chris’mas again.
2. Angel wings, We three kings, Five gold rings;
Grandma says, “I remember when...”
Hot mince pies, bargain buys, dodgy ties; Chris’mas again.
Cattle shed, gingerbread, overfed;
Grandad is hiding in 'is den.
Pretty bow, lots of snow, here we go! Chris’mas again.
...
Concert recording in front of live audience.
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7. |
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I SAW THREE SHIPS (medley)
Trad. Other music & Arr: Graham Pratt
1. I saw three ships come sailing in,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
Saw three ships come sailing in,
On Christmas Day in the morning.
2. And whither sailed those ships all three,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day?
Whither sailed those ships all three,
On Christmas Day in the morning?
3. One from East and one from West;
One to carry souls to rest.
4. O they sailed into Bethlehem,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
They sailed into Bethlehem,
On Christmas Day in the morning.
5. Wassail wassail wassail o!
Wassail wassail wassail o!
6. And all the bells on earth shall ring,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
All the bells on earth shall ring,
On Christmas Day in the morning.
7. Knock on the knocker and ring on the bell,
Now give us a shilling for singing so well;
If not a shilling a tanner will do,
And if not a tanner we'll bid you adieu.
8. And all the souls on earth shall sing,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
All the souls on earth shall sing,
On Christmas Day in the morning.
9. Then let us all rejoice again,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
Let us all rejoice again,
On Christmas Day in the morning.
10. Wassail Wassail Wassail o…
Wassail Wassail Wassail Wassail Wassail o!
11. I saw three ships come sailing in,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
Saw three ships come sailing in…
On Christmas Day in the morning...Wassail o!
Concert recording in front of live audience.
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8. |
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SILENTLY ON CHRISTMAS EVE
Poem: The Bee Carol - Carol Ann Duffy / Music: Graham Pratt
1. Silently on Christmas Eve, the turn of midnight's key;
All the garden locked in ice:
Locked in ice the garden, a silver frieze;
Except the winter cluster of the bees.
2. Flightless now and shivering, Around their queen they cling,
Ev'ry bee a gift of heat:
Ev'ry bee a gift of heat, she will not freeze
Within the winter cluster of the bees.
3. Bring me for my Christmas gift, a single, golden jar;
Let me taste the sweetness there,
But honey leave; but honey leave,
To feed the winter cluster of the bees.
4. Come with me on Christmas Eve, To see the silent hive;
Trembling stars cloistered above:
Trembling, cloistered stars above, and then believe.
Bless the winter cluster of the bees!
5. Bring me for my Christmas gift, a single, golden jar;
Let me taste the sweetness there,
But honey leave; but honey leave,
To feed the winter cluster of the bees!
Feed the winter cluster of…the bees.
Concert recording in front of live audience.
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9. |
Hunting The Wren
02:38
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HUNTING THE WREN
Trad. Arr: Graham Pratt
1. Joy health love and peace be all here in this place;
By your leave we will sing concerning our king.
2. Our king is well dressed in the silks of the best;
In ribbons so rare no king can compare.
3. We have travelled many miles over hedges and stiles
In search of our king, unto you we bring.
4. We have powder and shot to conquer the lot;
We have cannon and ball to conquer them all.
5. Old Christmas is past; twelve tide is the last:
And we bid you all adieu; great joy to the new.
...
Concert recording in front of live audience.
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10. |
Boar's Head Carol
03:05
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BOAR'S HEAD CAROL
Queen's College, Oxford: Traditional. Arr: Graham Pratt
Caput Apri Defero, Reddens Laudes Domino
The boar's head in hand bear I, bedeck'd with bays and rosemary.
I pray you, my masters, be merry, Quot Estis In Convivio...
The boar's head as I understand is the rarest dish in all this land,
Which thus bedeck'd with a gay garland; let us Servire Cantico...
Our steward hath provided this in honour of the King of bliss;
Which on this day to be served is In Reginensi Atrio...
The boar's head in hand bear I, bedeck'd with bays and rosemary.
I pray you, my masters, be merry; Quot Estis In Convivio...
Concert recording in front of live audience.
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11. |
The Innocent Year
02:45
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THE INNOCENT YEAR
Tune: Trad (Innocent Hare - Copper Family).
Re-worked Lyrics & Arr. Graham Pratt
1. The old year now has run its course,
So bid farewell with no remorse. (x2)
Through every season we've danced and sung; (x2)
Forward now we'll step without fear
To welcome the New and Most Innocent Year.
2. Through summer sun and cold winter rain
The year has brought us both joy and pain. (x2)
Then say farewell retiring year; (x2)
Forward now...
3. The months fly by the days creep slow
And hours they vanish like melting snow. (x2)
Let go the past! See how it flies! (x2)
Forward now ...
4. The year has led us a noble run
Success to sportsmen ev'ry one. (x2)
(Such) A chase it has led us both high and low; (x2)
Forward now ...
Concert recording in front of live audience.
It appeared on our very first CD "SpiteWinter" (no longer available).
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12. |
This Is The Weather
03:18
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THIS IS THE WEATHER
Graham Pratt
1. This is the weather for fire & fender;
Flames in the darkness & tales to be told:
Strange & outlandish yet warm & familiar;
Stories of angels & shepherds & gold. (x2)
2. This is the weather for dozing & dreaming;
Miracles, majesty, music & mirth.
Gifts from the desert, a child in a manger;
Oxen & sheep watching over the birth. (x2)
3. This is the weather for mittens & mufflers,
Bright colour’d jumpers & carols to sing;
Eyes full of magic & marvel & wonder,
Tramping through snow in the steps of a king. (x2)
4. This is the weather for starlight & moonglow;
Icicles hanging like needles of light.
Echoes of sleighbells & galloping reindeer;
Mystery moves in the folds of the night. (x2)
5. Repeat verse 1.
Concert recording in front of live audience.
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13. |
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THE HOLLY AND THE IVY
Old French Carol Tune. Arr: Graham Pratt
1. The holly and the ivy, When they are both full grown;
Of all the trees that are in the wood The holly bears the crown.
O the rising of the sun, The running of the deer;
The playing of the merry organ, Sweet singing all in the choir,
Sweet singing all in the choir.
2. The holly bears a blossom As white as lily flow’r;
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ To be our Saviour fair.
3. The holly bears a berry As red as any blood;
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ To do poor sinners good.
4. The holly bears a prickle As sharp as any thorn;
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ On Christmas Day in the morn.
Concert recording in front of live audience.
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14. |
The Story Of A Child
02:44
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THE STORY OF A CHILD
Tune: Italian Trad. Lyrics & Arr: Graham Pratt
1. "Oh who will tell a tale, this fine and frosty morning?
Who will tell a tale, this fine and frosty morning?”
“I”, said the trav’ller, “The story of a child, a child...”
Pa-rum pu-ta-pum pum pum.
2. “Oh who will keep him safe, this fine and frosty morning?
Who will keep him safe, this fine and frosty morning?”
“I”, said the maiden, “I’ll wrap him in my arms, my arms…”
3. “Oh who will find a bed, this fine and frosty morning?
Who will find a bed, this fine and frosty morning?”
“I”, said the landlord, “A manger full of straw, of straw..."
4. "Oh who will stand on guard, this fine and frosty morning?
Who will stand on guard, this fine and frosty morning?”
“I”, said the shepherd, “I’ll watch him with my sheep, my sheep…”
5. “Oh who will bring a gift, this fine and frosty morning?
Who will bring a gift, this fine and frosty morning?”
“I”, said the stranger, “As many have foretold, foretold…”
6. “Oh, who will praise his birth, this fine and frosty morning?
Who will praise his birth, this fine and frosty morning?”
“I”, said the robin, “I’ll sing for all the world, the world...”
7. “Oh who will help him fly, this fine and frosty morning?
Who will help him fly, this fine and frosty morning?”
“I”, said the donkey, “I’ll carry him away, away...”
8. "Oh who will bear the news, this fine and frosty morning?
Who will bear the news, this fine and frosty morning?”
“I”, said the trav’ller, “The story of a child, a child…”
Pa-rum pu-ta-pum pum pum.
“I”, said the trav’ller, “The story of a child, a child…”
Pa-rum…pu-ta-pum pum pum.
Concert recording in front of live audience.
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15. |
The Journey
02:49
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THE JOURNEY
Tune: Trad Polish. Lyrics & Arr: Graham Pratt
1. Early morning day is dawning, Time to rise & journey on;
Stars are dying breezes sighing, Now the gloomy night has gone.
Sleepy faces turn together looking out for kinder weather,
Til the long day's ride is done, Til the long day's ride is done.
2. Sun is higher like a fire, Burning in the eastern sky;
Still the long road beckons onward, Over land that's parched & dry.
Hopeful eyes now turn together as the miles stretch on forever,
To a place where they may lie, To a place where they may lie.
3. Ever riding starlight guiding, Still no thought of slowing down;
Ever nearing lights appearing in the houses of the town.
Now the long road is descending, one more mile to journey's ending,
Where a haven can be found, Where a haven can be found.
4. Children playing, donkeys braying, Crowds of people ev'rywhere;
None to meet them, none to greet them in the busy market square.
They must go without delay now; Is there nowhere they can stay now
Til the day dawns bright & fair, Til the day dawns bright & fair?
In a corner far from danger, Safely sheltered in a manger,
See a child is lying there, See a child is lying there.
Concert recording in front of live audience.
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16. |
O Men From The Fields *
02:11
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O MEN FROM THE FIELDS
Poem: Padraic Colum. Tune: Arnold Cooke.
This Arr & Verse 2: Graham Pratt
1. O men from the fields, come gently within,
Tread softly so softly, O men coming in.
Mavourneen is goin' from me and from you,
Where Mary will fold him with mantle of blue.
From reek of the smoke and cold of the floor
And the peering of things across the half-door.
O men from the fields, so softly come through;
Mary puts round him her mantle of blue.
2. O men from the fields, come gently within,
Step lightly, so lightly, O men coming in.
Mavourneen is goin' from me and from you,
Where Mary will fold him with mantle of blue.
From bite of the frost and fear of the night,
Mavourneen will sleep till sweet morning light.
O men from the fields, come silently through;
Mary puts round him her mantle of blue.
Mary puts round him her mantle of blue.
Mary puts round him her mantle of blue.
* Recorded 'virtually' during Covid lockdown Oct-Nov 2020.
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17. |
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YULE’S COME, YULE’S GONE
Graham Pratt: (Lyrics based on a traditional Scottish verse)
1. Yule’s come, Yule’s gone; we have feasted well.
Jack is to the field again; Jenny to the hill.
2. Yule’s come, Yule’s gone; milking pail & plough.
Jack is to the oxen gone; Jenny to the cow.
3. Yule’s come, Yule’s gone; spinning yarn and broom.
Jack is to the stable gone; Jenny to the loom.
4. Yule’s come, Yule’s gone; spinning yarn & flail.
Jack is to the harvest gone; Jenny to the wheel.
...
* Recorded 'virtually' during Covid lockdown Oct-Nov 2020.
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Sheffield Folk Chorale Sheffield, UK
We are a performance choir founded in 2001.
Our new online album is MAKE WE MERRY which includes back catalogue material and two new 'virtual' recordings, all for the winter season.
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