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Four Carols based on piano pieces by Nielsen and Poulenc

and Evening Canticles based on part songs

arranged by Duncan Saunderson

for male voice choir

Download 4 Carols

Download Magnificat

Download Nunc Dimittis

1. Watts' Cradle song - to a tune by Nielsen

2. King Herod and the Cock - to a tune by Poulenc (after Gervaise)

3. Ye sons of man - based on a Pavane by Poulenc (after Gervaise)

4. Ding Dong Ding - based on a tune by Poulenc (after Gervaise)

5. Magnificat based on part songs by Sir Arthur Sullivan, Thomas F. Walmisley and Samuel Webbe

6. Nunc Dimittis based on Sir Arthur Sullivan's The Long Day Closes

This one-man-choir performance by the dwsChorale is a studio try-out with three voices to each part.

The first professional perfomance (with one voice to a part) of the carols was given at a concert on 20 December 2006 at Trinity College Chapel, Oxford featuring Liedertafel

Words of the Carols and Canticles

1. Watts' Cradle song

Hush my dear, lie still and slumber

Holy Angels guard thy bed

Heav'nly blessings without number

Gently falling on they head

Sleep my babe, thy food and raiment

House and home thy friends provide

All without thy care and payment

All thy wants are well supplied

How much better thou'rt attended

Than the son of God could be

When from Heaven he descended

And became a child like thee

Mayst thou live to know and fear him

trust and love him all thy days

Then go dwell with him forever

See his face and sing his praise

2. King Herod and the Cock

There was a star in David's land,

so bright it did appear.

In-to King Herod's chamber

and brightly it shined there.

The wise men soon espied it

and told the king on high,

A princely babe was born that night

no king could e'er destroy.

"If this be true," King Herod said,

"as thou hast told to me,

this roasted cock that lies in the dish

shall crow full fences three

The cock soon thrustened and feathered well

by the work of God's own hand

and he did crow full fences three

in the dish where he did lie.

3. Ye sons of man

(Solo)

Ye sons of men with me rejoice

and and praise the heaven with heart and voice

For joyful tidings you we bring

of this heav'nly babe the new born King

Tutti

Who from his mighty throne above

came down to magnify his love

to all such as would him embrace

and and would be born again in grace

The night of his nativity

the people in the heavens did see

strange wonders which did them surprise

but none the reason could surmise

Within a manger there he lay

His dress was neither rich nor gay

In him you truly there might see

a pattern of humility.

4. Ding Dong Ding

Ding dong ding a dong a ding [etc]

Up good Christian folk and listen

How the merry church bells are ringing

and from steeple bid good people

come adore the new born King

born of mo-ther blest o'er other

ex Maria Virgine

In a stable, 'tis no fable, Christus natus Hodie

ding dong ding dong [etc]

Tell the story

how from glory

God came down at Christmastide

bringing gladness

chasing sadness

show'ring blessings far and wide

ding-a-ding-a ding-a ding-a ding dong ding

5. Magnificat

My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit rejoiceth in God my Saviour.

For he hath regarded the lowliness of his handmaiden.

For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

For he that is mighty hath magnified me; and holy is his Name.

And his mercy is on them that fear him throughout all generations.

He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble and meek.

He hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he hath sent empty away.

He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel, as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed, forever.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;

As it was in the beginning, and is now, and ever shall be world without end. Amen.

6. Nunc dimittis

Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word.

For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

To be a light to lighten the Gentiles, and to be the glory of thy people Israel.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;

as it was in the beginning, and is now, and ever shall be world without end. Amen.