Auld Lang Syne

1

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And days of auld lang syne?

2

We twa ha'e ran aboot the braes,

And pu'd the gowans fine,

We've wander'd mony a weary foot

Sin' auld lang syne.

3

And here's a hand, my trusty frien',

And gie's a hand o' thine;

We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet,

For auld lang syne.

CHORUS

For auld lang syne, my dear,

For auld lang syne;

We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet

For auld lang syne.

https://youtu.be/yRk_vbg9sWA?si=pxI3hs1ufuzpeA4I

Auld Lang Syne is a Scottish folk song. The lyrics are attributed to the national poet of Scotland, Robert Burns, but the original author is not definitely known. The lyrics were in the Scots language, and the literal translation of the title into standard English is Old Long Since. The song is about old friends having a drink and recalling adventures they had long ago.

Burns' first written version of the words of Auld Lang Syne date to 1788. Burns claimed that the words were taken "from an old man's singing." Poems with similar words existed before the time of Burns. The melody we associate with the song also existed before Burns wrote down the words. The English composer William Shield used a similar tune in his comic opera Rosina, first performed in 1782. The words and music that are now familiar appear together for the first time in 1799 in a Scottish song compilation published by George Thomson. In the 1800s the song was reprinted many times, and eventually it became part of the Scottish New Year's celebration known as Hogmanay. Celebrants traditionally sing the song while they stand in a circle holding hands. Bandleader Guy Lombardo helped make "Auld Lang Syne" a New Year's Eve tradition in North America. His band, the Royal Canadians, played the song at the turn of the new year in popular radio broadcasts beginning in 1929 and continuing for more than 30 years.

Many variations of wording can be found in both versions of “Auld Lang Syne” as they have been set down over the years. In fact, surviving manuscript copies in Burns’s own hand are not identically worded.

--Source: Britannica.com

Ring Out, Wild Bells

1

Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,

The flying cloud, the frosty light;

The year is dying in the night;

Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.

 2

Ring out the old, ring in the new,

Ring, happy bells, across the snow:

The year is going, let him go;

Ring out the false, ring in the true.

 3

Ring out the grief that saps the mind,

For those that here we see no more,

Ring out the feud of rich and poor,

Ring in redress to all mankind.

 4

Ring out a slowly dying cause,

And ancient forms of party strife;

Ring in the nobler modes of life,

With sweeter manners, purer laws.

 5

Ring out the want, the care the sin,

The faithless coldness of the times;

Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes,

But ring the fuller minstrel in.

 6

Ring out false pride in place and blood,

The civic slander and the spite;

Ring in the love of truth and right,

Ring in the common love of good.

 7

Ring out old shapes of foul disease,

Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;

Ring out the thousand wars of old,

Ring in the thousand years of peace.

 8

Ring in the valiant man and free,

The larger heart, the kindlier hand;

Ring out the darkness of the land,

Ring in the Christ that is to be.

Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Here are two different musical renderings of this famous poem:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2Vjr7X_qMQ&list=RDt2Vjr7X_qMQ&start_radio=1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYb9J776_io&list=RDFYb9J776_io&start_radio=1

Infant Holy, Infant Lowly

1 

Infant holy, infant lowly,

For His bed a cattle stall;

Oxen lowing, little knowing

Christ, the babe, is Lord of all.

Swift are winging angels singing,

Noels ringing, tidings bringing:

Christ the babe is Lord of all!

Christ the babe is Lord of all!

2 

Flocks were sleeping, shepherds keeping

Vigil till the morning new

Saw the glory, heard the story,

Tidings of the gospel true.

Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow,

Praises voicing, greet the morrow:

Christ the babe was born for you;

Christ the babe was born for you.

Attributed to Piotr Skarga

Paraphrased by Edith M. G. Reed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9LIs9d0TwM&list=RDL9LIs9d0TwM&start_radio=1

In this video there has been a third verse added by the arranger Elizabeth Alexander.

To Us a Child of Hope is Born

To Us a Child of Hope is Born

1 

To us a child of hope is born,

To us a son is giv’n.

Him shall the tribes of earth obey,

Him all the hosts of heav’n,

Him shall the tribes of earth obey,

Him all the hosts of heav’n.

2 

His name shall be the Prince of peace,

Forevermore adored,

The Wonderful, the Counselor,

The great and mighty Lord,

The Wonderful, the Counselor,

The great and mighty Lord.

3 

His pow’r, increasing, still shall spread,

His reign no end shall know.

Justice shall guard his throne above,

And peace abound below,

Justice shall guard his throne above,

And peace abound below.

Michael Bruce, John Morison

Here is a video of the tune we have in our hymnals for these lyrics:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iK5dULjofng&list=RDiK5dULjofng&start_radio=1

Here is a setting of the same lyrics with a different, but still familiar, tune:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rbqe4CyUIs8&list=RDRbqe4CyUIs8&start_radio=1

Good Christian Men, Rejoice

Good Christian Men Rejoice

1

Good Christian men, rejoice,

With heart and soul and voice;

Give ye heed to what we say:

Jesus Christ is born today;

Ox and ass before Him bow;

And He is in the manger now.

Christ is born today!

Christ is born today!

2 

Good Christian men, rejoice

With heart and soul and voice;

Now ye hear of endless bliss:

Jesus Christ was born for this!

He has opened heaven's door,

And man is blest forevermore.

Christ was born for this!

Christ was born for this!

3 

Good Christian men, rejoice

With heart and soul and voice;

Now ye need not fear the grave:

Jesus Christ was born to save!

Calls to one and calls to all

To gain his everlasting hall.

Christ was born to save!

Christ was born to save!

Unknown Author, translated by John M. Neale (1853)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvKioFvCuQk&list=RDPvKioFvCuQk&start_radio=1

Good King Wenceslas

 December 26th is the feast day of St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, hence "on the feast of Stephen"

1 

Good King Wenceslas looked out on the Feast of Stephen,

When the snow lay round about, deep and crisp and even.

Brightly shone the moon that night, though the frost was cruel,

When a poor man came in sight, gath’ring winter fuel.

2 

“Hither, page, and stand by me, if you know it, telling,

Yonder peasant, who is he? Where and what his dwelling?”

“Sire, he lives a good league hence, underneath the mountain,

Right against the forest fence, by Saint Agnes’ fountain.”

3 

“Bring me food and bring me wine, bring me pine logs hither,

You and I will see him dine, when we bear them thither.”

Page and monarch, forth they went, forth they went together,

Through the cold wind’s wild lament and the bitter weather.

4 

“Sire, the night is darker now, and the wind blows stronger,

Fails my heart, I know not how; I can go no longer.”

“Mark my footsteps, my good page, tread now in them boldly,

You shall find the winter’s rage freeze your blood less coldly.”

5 

In his master’s steps he trod, where the snow lay dinted;

Heat was in the very sod which the saint had printed.

Therefore, Christian men, be sure, while God’s gifts possessing,

You who now will bless the poor shall yourselves find blessing.

John Mason Neale 1853

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQVUMG6LZGM&list=RDSQVUMG6LZGM&start_radio=1

I Heard the Bells On Christmas Day

1

I heard the bells on Christmas day

Their old familiar carols play,

And wild and sweet the words repeat

Of peace on earth, good will to men.

2

I thought how, as the day had come,

The belfries of all Christendom

Had rolled along th'unbroken song

Of peace on earth, good will to men.

3

And in despair I bowed my head:

"There is no peace on earth," I said,

"For hate is strong, and mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good will to men.

4

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,

With peace on earth, good will to men."

5

Till, ringing, singing on its way,

The world revolved from night to day

A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,

Of peace on earth, good will to men.

Henry W. Longfellow

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xg5fQJUAZB4&list=RDxg5fQJUAZB4&start_radio=1

O Holy Night

1 

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining;

It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth.

Long lay the world in sin and error pining,

Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!

Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices!

O night divine! O night when Christ was born!

O night divine! O night, O night divine!

2 

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,

With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.

So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,

There came the wise men from Orient land.

The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger;

In all our trials born to be our friend.

He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger.

Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!

Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!

3 

Truly He taught us to love one another;

His law is love and His gospel is peace.

Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother,

And in His name all oppression shall cease.

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,

Let all within us praise His holy name.

Christ is the Lord! O praise His name forever!

His pow'r and glory evermore proclaim!

His pow'r and glory evermore proclaim!

 Author: Placide Cappeau (1847)

Translator: John Sullivan Dwight

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sp6IB91H2ss&list=RDSp6IB91H2ss&start_radio=1

Away In a Manger

1

Away in a manger

No crib for a bed

The little Lord Jesus

Laid down His sweet head

The stars in the bright sky

Looked down where He lay

The little Lord Jesus

Asleep on the hay

2

The cattle are lowing

The Baby awakes

But little Lord Jesus

No crying He makes

I love Thee, Lord Jesus

Look down from the sky

And stay by my side

Until morning is nigh

3 

Be near me, Lord Jesus

I ask Thee to stay

Close by me forever

And love me I pray

Bless all the dear children

In Thy tender care

And fit us for heaven

To live with Thee there

ATTRIBUTED TO MARTIN LUTHER

There are two tunes associated with this song, one more popular in America, and

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfEJj97Zy0Y&list=RDQfEJj97Zy0Y&start_radio=1

 one more commonly used in Britain.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbQpEdwGEXo&list=RDpbQpEdwGEXo&start_radio=1

All My Heart This Night Rejoices

 All my heart this night rejoices...

1

All my heart this night rejoices,

As I hear, far and near,

Sweetest angel voices:

‘Christ is born!’ their choirs are singing,

Till the air ev’rywhere

Now with joy is ringing.

2

Hark! a voice from yonder manger,

Soft and sweet, doth entreat,

‘Flee from woe and danger!

Brethren, come! from all doth grieve you,

You are freed; all you need

I will surely give you.’

3

Come, then, let us hasten yonder!

Here let all, great and small,

Kneel in awe and wonder!

Love him who with love is yearning!

Hail the star that from far

Bright with hope is burning!

4

Thee, dear Lord, with heed I’ll cherish,

Live to thee, and with thee,

Dying, shall not perish;

But shall dwell with thee for ever,

Far on high, in the joy

That can alter never.

Paul Gerhardt

Translated by Catherine Winkworth

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKvHbNsNbH0&list=RDPKvHbNsNbH0&start_radio=1

 I have found a variety of texts for this song. The one above is specific to the video on the link. Hymnary.org lists the "original" lyrics as follows:

1. All my heart this night rejoices,

As I hear,

Far and near,

Sweetest angel voices;

"Christ is born," their choirs are singing,

Till the air

Ev'rywhere

Now with joy is ringing.

2. For it dawns, the promised morrow

Of his birth,

Who the Earth

Rescues from its sorrow.

God in human form descending;

Of his grace

To our race

Here his Son is lending.

3. Come then, let us hasten yonder;

Here let all,

Great and small,

Kneel in awe and wonder.

Love Him who with love is yearning;

Hail the Star

That from far

Bright with hope is burning!

4. You who pine in weary sadness,

Weep no more,

For the door

Now is found of gladness.

Cling to him, for he will guide you

Where no cross,

Pain or loss

Can again betide you.

5. Hasten, come, you heavy-hearted,

Who for sin

Deep within

Long and sore have smarted;

For the poisoned wounds you’re feeling,

Help is near;

One is here,

Mighty for his healing!

6. Blessèd Savior, let me find you!

Keeping me

Lovingly,

Cast me not behind you!

Life of life, my heart you’re stilling;

Calm I rest

On thy breast,

While this void you’re filling.

[The "original" lyrics were in German. So any English version is going to be a translation, and may not match some other English translations of the same German text.]

The scripture I have used in this post is intended to go with the specific part of the lyrics that says --

"Calm I rest

On thy breast"

Jesus Christ, the Apple Tree

1 The tree of life my soul hath seen,

Laden with fruit, and always green:

The trees of nature fruitless be

Compared with Christ the apple tree.

2 His beauty doth all things excel:

By faith I know, but ne’er can tell

The glory which I now can see

In Jesus Christ the apple tree.

3 For happiness I long have sought,

And pleasure dearly I have bought:

I missed of all: but now I see

’Tis found in Christ the apple tree.

4 I’m weary with my former toil,

Here I will sit and rest awhile:

Under the shadow I will be

Of Jesus Christ the apple tree.

5 With great delight I'll make my stay,

There's none shall fright my soul away;

Among the sons of men I see,

There's none like Christ the apple tree.

6 I'll sit and eat this fruit divine,

It cheers my heart like holy wine:

And now the fruit is sweet to me,

That grows on Christ the apple tree.

7 This fruit doth make my soul to thrive,

It keeps my dying faith alive;

Which makes my soul in haste to be

With Jesus Christ the apple tree.

Author: Richard Hutchins

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SixnHKwyrjI&list=RDSixnHKwyrjI&start_radio=1

Apple trees were commonly grown in England and there was an old English tradition of wassailing or wishing health to apple trees on Christmas Eve. The song is now performed by choirs around the world, especially during the Christmas season as a Christmas carol.

The song may be an allusion to both the apple tree in Song of Solomon 2:3 which has been interpreted as a metaphor representing Jesus, and to his description of his life as a tree of life in Luke 13:18–19 and elsewhere in the New Testament including Revelation 22:1–2 and within the Old Testament in Genesis. 

Lo, How a Rose, e'er Blooming

This Advent/Christmas hymn is from the 16th century, its authorship unknown. The tune and harmonies commonly used today were composed by Michael Praetorius in 1609. The original lyrics were written in German, and were translated by Theodore Baker in 1894 into the text most well known to English speakers today:

1

Lo, how a rose e'er blooming,

From tender stem hath sprung.

Of Jesse's lineage coming,

As men of old have sung;

It came, a flow'ret bright,

Amid the cold of winter,

When half spent was the night.

2

Isaiah 'twas foretold it,

The Rose I have in mind,

With Mary we behold it,

The virgin mother kind;

To show God's love aright,

She bore to men a Savior,

When half spent was the night.

3

This flower, whose fragrance tender

With sweetness fills the air,

Dispels with glorious splendor

The darkness everywhere

True man, yet very God,

From sin and death He saves us

And lightens every load.

The legend that Jesus was born "when half-spent was the night" (midnight) is a reminder of the pagan underpinnings of our modern Christmas celebration. Every culture throughout history has had some sort of celebration around the winter solstice (December 21st in the northern hemisphere). Nearly always these traditions centered around the themes of light and darkness -- bidding the return of longer days and shorter nights.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kU-E46o0sp0&list=RDkU-E46o0sp0&start_radio=1

Sweet Little Jesus Boy

"This is not so much a song as just a meaning. You have to imagine an aging Negro standing off in the middle of a field just giving his heart to Jesus in the stillness."

The meaning of the song as explained to Robin White by Robert MacGimsey, 1966.

Sweet little Jesus Boy,

they made you be born in a manger.

Sweet little Holy Child,

didn't know who You was.

 

Didn't know you come to save us, Lord;

to take our sins away.

Our eyes was blind, we couldn't see,

we didn't know who You was.

  

Long time ago, you was born.

Born in a manger low,

Sweet little Jesus Boy.

  

The world treat You mean, Lord;

treat me mean, too.

But that's how things is down here,

we didn't know t'was You.

  

You done showed us how,

we is trying.

Master, You done showed us how,

even when you's dying.

  

Just seem like we can't do right,

look how we treated You.

But please, sir, forgive us Lord,

we didn't know 'twas You.

  

Sweet little Jesus Boy,

born long time ago.

Sweet little Holy Child,

and we didn't know who You was.

 

Robert MacGimsey

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWQ71squpz4&list=RDxWQ71squpz4&start_radio=1

 The essence of this wonderful spiritual is the line "We didn't know who you was."