Christmas Music

Every year at Oklahoma City University, there is a big Vespers service. All of the choirs are involved and the orchestra and I cannot even imagine how badly I would hate it if I had to perform in it (simply because I know the effort and mentel exertion required to stand and sing and whatnot for a choral program).


BUT


I don't. As a grad student, I don't have to perform. I just get to go watch all my friends sing and play. And it's AMAZING.


So, in the spirit of the season, I'm going to share my two favorites with you. This one is a shape note piece (Interestingly, this is the song that is the example on the Wiki page, but the one in my recording is a different arrangement). It just sounds SO damn cool.



Star in the East


Hail the blest morn, see the great Mediator
Down from the regions of glory descend.
Shepherds, go worship the Babe in the manger.
Lo, for a guard the bright angels attend.

Chorus:
Brightest and best of the Suns of the morning,
Dawn on our darkness and lend us Thine aid!
Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

Cold on His cradle the dew drops are shining.
Low lies His head with the beasts of the stall.
Angels adore Him in slumber reclining;
Maker and monarch and savior of all!

[Chorus]

Say, shall we yield Him, in costly devotion,
Odors of Edom and offerings divine?
Gems of the mountain and pearls of the ocean,
Myrrh from the forest, or gold from the mine?

[Chorus]

This is longer and not nearly as catchy and cool, but it does sound like Star Wars does Christmas.


Epilogue (Hodie) - Ralph Vaughan Williams


Enjoy!