Schola Christmas 2023 Program

The Holly and the Ivy
Traditional English Carol
Arr. Sir Henry Walford Davies (1869-1941, England)

It was in the small market town of Chipping Campden, in Gloucestershire, that Cecil Sharp (1859–1924) collected the tune and most of the words of The holly and the Ivy, both of which are traditional and anonymous. Sir Walford Davies (1869–1941) was in turn organist of the Temple Church in London, professor of music in the University of Wales and organist of St George’s Chapel, Windsor, where he had served his apprenticeship as chorister and, later, pupil teacher. In 1934 Davies became Master of the King’s Musick in succession to Sir Edward Elgar. From notes by Hyperion Records attributed to Wadham Sutton 1993

1. The holly and the ivy
When they are both full grown
Of all trees that are in the wood
The holly bears the crown

Chorus
O, the rising of the sun,
and the running of the deer.
The playing of the merry organ.
Sweet singing in the choir.

2. The holly bears a blossom
as white as lily flow'r
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
to be our dear Saviour

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

5. The holly bears a bark
as bitter as any gall
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
for to redeem us all


Away in a Manger
Trad. English Carol
Arr. Michael McGlynn (Ireland, b.1964)

A 1996 Gallup poll put Away in a Manger in second place (behind Silent Night) as one of the most popular Christmas carols! This carol is traced to 19^th century England.

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.

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 cradle till morning is nigh.

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 take us to heaven to live with thee there.


Noël Nouvelet
Traditional carol
Arr. Michael McGlynn (Ireland, b.1964)

Noël Nouvelet dates to the 15th century. This French Christmas song includes not only the birth of the Christ Child, but also the angels’ song and the visit by the shepherds.

Noël nouvelet, Noël chantons ici.
Dévotes gens rendons à Dieu merci.
Chantons noël pour le roi nouvelet.
Noël nouvelet, Noël chantons ici.

Quand je m’éveillai j’eus assez dormi.
Ouvris les yeux, vis un arbre fleuri.
Dont il sortait un bouton merveilleux,
Noël nouvelet, Noël chantons ici.

D’un oiselet bientôt le chant ouis,
Qui aux pasteurs disait: Partez d’ici.
En Bethléem trouverez l’agnelet
Noël nouvelet, Noël chantons ici.

New Christmas, let us sing for Christmas now here.
Devout people, let us give our thanks to God!
Let us sing to Christmas for the new King!
New Christmas, let us sing for Christmas now here.

When I woke up, I had slept enough,
I opened my eyes, and saw a tree in flower,
From which there emerged a magnificent bud.
New Christmas, Christmas we sing here!

Soon I heard the song of a little bird,
Who was saying to the shepherds: “Go from here.”
In Bethlehem find the little lamb.
New Christmas, Christmas we sing here!


Maria Matrem
Text from Alma Redemptoris Mater, 13^th century
Michael McGlynn (Ireland, b.1964)

Mariam Matrem Virginem,
natura mirante, tu quæ genuisiti.
Ave peccatorum miserere.

Mary, the Virgin Mother,
You, who gave birth to your holy creator, with nature in awe
(after hearing that) “Ave” (from the mouth of Gabriel),
have mercy on us sinners.


Christ Child's Lullaby Taladh Chrìosda
Reverend Father Ranald Rankin (Fort William, Inverness-shire, Scotland, 1799-1863)

Taladh Chrìosda is perhaps the best known of all Gaelic lullabies and was composed in 1855 by Father Ronald (also known as Ranald) Rankin, a Catholic priest in Moidart, a remote and isolated area in the Hebrides Islands, Scotland, in advance of his emigration to Australia in 1855.

It is still sung at Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve on Barra, South Uist and Eriskay in the Outer Hebrides.

Originally with 29 verses in Scots Gaelic, the song was a parting gift to the children of his congregation whom he was leaving behind. Many Catholic hymns are in praise of the Virgin Mary, but Taladh Chrìosda instead takes on her voice and perspective, and in the song she expresses her love, joy and awe in the presence of her son, the Christ Child, and her feeling of being blessed as the one chosen to nurse him.

Perhaps this was in some way also an expression of Father Rankin’s own paternal love towards the children he composed the song for.

This carol expresses feelings of love, distance and longing associated with leaving and being far from home. Although not about emigration, it was written in response to it and carries all the hallmarks of a song composed amidst the tragedy of looming separation.

Read more about Taladh Chrìosda and Fr. Rankin in the West Island Free Press

Mo ghaol, mo ghràdh is m’ eudail thu
M’ ionntas ùr is m’ aoibhneas thu
Mo mhacan àlainn, ceutach thu
Chan fhiù mi fhèin bhith ‘d dhàil.

My love my pride my treasure oh
My wonder new and pleasure oh
My son, my beauty ever you
Who am I to bear you here?

The cause of talk and tale am I
The cause of greatest fame am I
The cause of proudest care on high
To have for mine the king of all

And though you are the King of all
They sent you to a manger stall
Then at your feet they all should fall
And glorify my child the King

There shone a star above three kings
To guide them to the King of Kings
They held you in their humble arms
And knelt before you until dawn

They gave you myrrh, they gave you gold
Frankincense and gifts untold
They travelled far these gifts to bring
And kneel before their newborn King


Photo: West Highland Peninsula

Gloria
From the Messe de Notre Dame
Guillaume Machaut (France, 1300 - 1377)

Machaut set the great Gloria hymn of the Roman Catholic Mass during the time of the Black Death. The sounds of this medieval setting mirrors the dark times of the Middle Ages.

The ancient Gloria began by the priest or bishop echoing the proclamation of the angels at the birth of Christ: "Glory to God in the highest!" In this ancient hymn, the gathered assembly joins the heavenly choirs in offering praise and adoration to the Father and Jesus through the Holy Spirit.

Glória in excélsis Deo
et in terra pax homínibus bonae voluntátis.

Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to people of good will.

Laudámus te,
benedícimus te,
adorámus te,
glorificámus te,
grátias ágimus tibi propter magnam glóriam tuam.

We praise you,
we bless you,
we adore you,
we glorify you,
we give you thanks for your great glory.

Dómine Deus, Rex caeléstis,
Deus Pater omnípotens.
Dómine Fili unigénite, Jesu Christe,
Dómine Deus, Agnus Dei, Fílius Patris.

Lord God, heavenly King, O God,
Almighty Father.
Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son,
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father.

Qui tollis peccáta mundi, miserére nobis;
qui tollis peccáta mundi, súscipe deprecatiónem nostram.
Qui sedes ad déxteram Patris, miserére nobis.

you who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us;
you who takes away the sins of the world, receive our prayer;
you who are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.

Quóniam tu solus Sanctus,
tu solus Dóminus,
tu solus Altíssimus,
Jesu Christe,
cum Sancto Spíritu in glória Dei Patris.

For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit in the glory of God the Father.

Amen.

And so it shall be.


Kyrie from Machaut's Messe de Nostre Dame
(Photo Wikipedia_

Ave Maria…Virgo Serena
Josquin des Prez (Flemish, Condé-sur-l'Escaut, France, c.1450 – 1521)

des Prez published this wonderful piece that speaks to the five important milestones of St. Mary's life. The text starts with the well known Ave Maria (Hail Mary…), then employs a medieval poem telling of St. Mary's life, and ends with a personal petition of des Prez, praying to St. Mary asking her to remember him.

Ave Maria, gratia plena,
Dominus tecum,
Virgo serena.

Salutation
Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord be with you,
serene (gentle) Virgin.

1. Conceptio
Ave cujus conceptio,
solemni plena gaudio
cœlestia, terrestria,
Nova replet lætitia.

Conception – December 8 (Mary’s freedom from original sin)
Hail whose conception,
solemnly filled with joy,
Heaven and earth
are filled with happiness of this news.

2. Nativitas
Ave cujus nativitas
nostra fuit solemnitas,
Ut lucifer lux oriens,
verum solem præveniens.

Nativity – September 8 (birth of Mary – 9 months after Conception)
Hail whose birth
was our solemn celebration,
as the light-bringer (Morning Star) from the east,
foretelling the coming of the true sun.

3. Annunciatio
Ave pia humilitas,
sine viro fœcunditas,
cujus annunciatio
nostra fui salvatio.

Annunciation – March 25 (9 months before Christmas)
Hail pious humility,
created without a man
whose announcement
was our salvation.

4. Purificatio
Ave vera virginitas,
immaculata castitas,
cujus purificatio
nostra fuit purgatio.

Purification – February 2 (40 days after Christmas…)
Hail true virginity,
immaculate chastity
whose purification
was our purification (cleansing).

5. Assumptio
Ave præclara omnibus
Angelicis virtutibus,
cujus fuit assumptio
nostra glorificatio.

Assumption – August 15 (body & soul of Mary assumed to heaven)
Hail to you most glorious
Angelic virtues
whose assumption was
our glorification (unjustifiably admirable).

O Mater Dei,
Memento mei.
Amen.

Petition
O Mother of God,
remember me.
And so it shall be.


Opening line of Ave Maria…Virgo Serena


Quem Pastores

Quem Pastores Laudavere
Michael Praetorius (Germany, 1571-1621)
1621; Puericinium (Wolfenbüttel, Germany)

This 14^th century medieval Christmas hymn was originally collected by Michael Praetorius at the end of the 16^th century.

1.
Quem pastores laudavere,
quibus angeli dixere:
absit vobis iam timere,
natus est Rex gloriæ.

Nunc angelorum gloria
hominibus resplenduit in mundo,
novi partus gaudia,
virgo Mater produxit,
et sol verus in tenebris illuxit.
Christus natus hodie ex virgine,
sine virili semine est natus Rex.

1.
Whom the shepherds should praise
to whom the angels said:
you are no longer afraid
the King of Glory was born.

Now the glory of the angels
shines upon men in the world,
the joys of a new birth,
the virgin mother produced,
and the true sun shone in the darkness.
Christ born today of a virgin,
the King was born without a male seed.

2.
Ad quem Magi ambulabant,
aurum, thus, myrrham portabant,
immolabant hæc sincere
Leoni victoriæ.

Culpæ sic datur hodie
remissio lætentur homo reus.
Lux de cœlo claruit,
pace iam reparata,
et genitrix permansit illibata.
Christus natus hodie ex virgine,
sine virili semine est natus Rex.

2.
To whom the Magi walked,
they carried gold, frankincense, and myrrh,
they were immolating
the Lion’s sincere victory.

Guilt is thus given today
the guilty man rejoices in his remission.
A light shone from heaven,
peace now restored,
and the mother remained unharmed.
Christ born today of a virgin,
the King was born without a male seed.

3.
Exultemus cum Maria
in cœlesti Hierarchia,
natum premant voce pia,
dulci cum melodia.

Magnum est nomen Domini,
Immanuel quod est nobiscum Deus;
redemptori Domino,
redempti iubilemus,
hic est dies et annus iubilæus;
pueri concinite et psallite,
voce pia dicite et plaudite.

3.
Let us rejoice with Mary
in the heavenly Hierarchy,
they press the newborn with a pious voice,
sweet with melody.

Great is the name of the Lord
Immanuel that God is with us;
to the Redeemer Lord,
let us rejoice in redemption,
this is the day and year of jubilee;
children sing and dance,
say with a pious voice and clap your hands. 

4.
Christo regi, Deo nato
per Mariam nobis dato
merito resonet vere
laus, honor et gloria.

Pastores palam dicite in Bethlehem,
quem genuit Maria;
Laus, honor et gloria
sit Deo in excelsis,
hominibus pax bonæ voluntatis,
sion lauda Dominum cum plausibus,
salvatorem hominum in sæcula.

4.
King Christ, born of God
given to us by Mary
it truly resonates with merit
praise, honor and glory

Tell the shepherds openly in Bethlehem,
whom Mary bore;
Praise, honor and glory
be to God on high,
peace of good will to men,
Sion praise the Lord with applause,
the savior of men for ever.

Leoni – the Lion – according to a sermon by St. Augustine, the lion stands for Christ resurrected.


O Magnum Mysterium
Tomás Luis de Victoria (Spain, 1548-1611)

O Magnum Mysterium is a responsory from the Holy Matins of Christmas describing the wonderment of the animals as they gaze on Christ: “O great mystery and wonderful sacrament, that animals should see the newborn Lord, lying in a manger!”

O magnum mysterium
et admirabile sacramentum
ut animalia viderent Dominum natum
jacentem in praesepio!

Beata Virgo, cujus viscera
meruerunt portare Dominum Christum.
Alleluia

O great mystery
and wonderful sacrament
that animals should see the newborn Lord
lying in a manger!

Blessed is the virgin whose womb
was worthy to bear the Lord, Jesus Christ.
Praise God.


O Magnum Mysterium manuscript of soprano voice.


Alma Redemptoris Mater
11^th century Gregorian chant
+ Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (Italy, 1525 – 1594)

Herman Contractus (1013 – 1054), a Benedictine monk on the monastic island of Reichenau Island in the Rhein River (on boundary of Germany and Switzerland) composed this prayer in the 11th century.

Since then Alma redemptoris mater has been the last Gregorian chant sung at the close of the day in monasteries during Christmastide.

Schola also sings a polyphonic setting of this chant by Italy's Palestrina. Palestrina is considered the créme de la créme of Renaissance polyphonic sacred musicians. Palestrina composed this polyphonic setting of Alma Redemptoris Mater in 1584 while at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. This composition would have been the last sounds the Pope heard at the end of in the day in the Sistine Chapel during Christmastide.

Alma Redemptoris Mater,
quae pervia caeli porta manes, et stella maris,
succurre cadenti surgere qui curat populo:
Tu quae genuisti, natura mirante, tuum sanctum Genitorem:
Virgo prius ac posterius,
Gabrielis ab ore sumens illud Ave,
peccatorum miserere.

Loving mother of the redeemer –
you are an open gate to heaven and Star of the Sea:
help a fallen people who want to rise again.
You, who gave birth to your holy creator, with nature in awe,
a virgin before and after hearing that “Ave” from the mouth of Gabriel,
have mercy on us sinners.
(translation Fr. Joe Vanderholt, S.J.)


Interior of the 7^th century monastic church on Reichenau Island. (Photo Wikipedia)

Angelus Domini
Franz Xaver Biebl (Germany, 1906 – 2001)

[℣.] Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariæ;
[℟.] Et concepit de Spiritu Sancto.

[℣.] The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary
[℟.] And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum.
Benedicta tu in mulieribus,
et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Jesus.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou amongst women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

[℣.] Ecce ancilla Domini.
[℟.] Fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum.

[℣.] Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
[℟.] Be it done unto me according to your word.

Ave Maria…

[℣.] Et Verbum caro factum est. (In actual practice, here all bow reverently or genuflect.)
[℟.] Et habitavit in nobis.

[℣.] And the Word was made Flesh.
[℟.] And dwelt among us.

Ave Maria…

Sancta Maria, Mater Dei,
ora pro nobis peccatoribus,
nunc, et in hora mortis nostrae.
Amen.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners
now and at the hour of our death.
And so it shall be.


Jean-Francois Millet (France, 1814-1875). Millet said of his painting; "The idea for The Angelus came to me because I remembered that my grandmother, hearing the church bell ringing while we were working in the fields, always made us stop work to say the Angelus prayer for the poor departed."


O Holy Night
Adolphe Adam (France, 1803-1856)
Arr. Michael McGlynn (Ireland, b.1964)

This French carol was set by France’s Adolphe Adam in 1847 to "Minuit, chrétiens," a poem by Placide Cappeau (1808–1877). This poem, and now carol, reflects both on the birth of Jesus and on humanity's redemption.


El Burrito Sabanero
Hugo Blanco (Venezuela, 1940-2015)
Aguinaldo (Venezuelan Christmas music)

Con mi burrito sabanero, voy camino de Belén

Si me ven, si me ven
Voy camino de Belén
Si me ven, si me ven
Voy camino de Belén

El lucerito mañanero ilumina mi sendero

Si me ven…

Con mi cuatrico voy cantando, mi burrito va trotando

Si me ven…

Tuki tuki tuki tuki
Tuki tuki tuki ta

Apúrate, mi burrito
Que ya vamos a llegar

Tuki tuki tuki tuki
Tuki tuki tuki tu

Apúrate mi burrito
Vamos a ver a Jesús


1. With my burrito from the Savannah*, I'm on my way to Bethlehem

Chorus
If you see me I'm on my way to Bethlehem

2. The morning light illuminates my path

3. With my four-stringed (guitar) I'm singing, my little donkey is trotting

Tuki tuki tuki tuki
Tuki tuki tuki ta

Hurry up, my donkey, we're going to get there

Tuki tuki tuki tuki
Tuki tuki tuki tu

Hurry up my little donkey, let's go see Jesus

*Savannah is a large, flat area of land covered with grass, usually with few trees, that is found in hot countries, especially in Africa.


Mañanitas a la Virgen de Guadalupe
Trad. of the Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe

Las Mañanitas a la Virgen de Guadalupe is the traditional song of the ‘Patroness of the Americas, Our Lady of Guadalupe.’ Las Mañanitas is our song of greeting to 'her,' where we celebrate Juan Diego’s encounter with the Virgin Mary in 1531, greeting her as 'Guadalupana'. The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is on December 12.

1.
Oh Virgen, la más Hermosa del Valle del Anáhuac,
tus hijos muy de mañana te vienen a saludar.

O Virgin, the most beautiful of the Valley of Anahuac,
your children come to greet you very early in the morning.

Estribillo
Despierta, Madre, despierta, mira que ya amaneció,
mira este ramo de flores que para ti traigo yo.

Refrain
Wake up, Mother, wake up, look at the dawn,
look at this bouquet that I bring to you.

2.
Recibe, Madre querida, nuestra felicitación,
hoy por ser el día tan grande de tu tierna aparición.

Receive, dear Mother, our congratulations,
For today being the great day of your tender appearance.

3.
Recibe, Madre querida, nuestra felicitación;
míranos aquí postrados y danos tu bendición.

Receive, dear Mother, our congratulations;
see at us here prostrate and give us your blessing.

4.
Tú brillaste, Virgen Santa, como estrella matinal,
anunciando la alborada que iba pronto a comenzar.

You shone, Holy Virgin, as the morning star,
announcing the dawn that was soon to begin.

5.
Ya viene alborando el día, qué linda está la mañana,
saludemos a María: buenos días, Guadalupana.

El cerro del Tepeyac escogiste por morada,
por eso te saludamos, buenos días, Guadalupana.

Ya viene amaneciendo, ya la luz del día nos dio,
levántate, Virgencita, mira que ya amaneció.

The day is already dawning, how beautiful the morning is,
Let’s say hello to Mary. ‘God morning Guadalupana!’

You chose the Tepeyac hill as your home,
so we greet you; Good morning, Guadalupana!

Dawn is coming, and the light of day is upon us.
Get up, little Virgin, look and see that it is already dawn!


Christmas 2023 Schola singers

Anna George - alto/percussion
Denise Moore - soprano
Jackie Mattos - alto/soprano
Lucinda Sydow - alto/soprano/trumpet

Maestro Billy Turney - baritone/accordion