General Chat

It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old, from angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold; 'Peace on the earth, goodwill to men from heaven's all-gracious King!' The world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing. With sorrow brought by sin and strife the world has suffered long, and, since the angels sang, have passed two thousand years of wrong; for man at war with man hears not the love-song which they bring; O hush the noise, you men of strife, and hear the angels sing! And those whose journey now is hard, whose hope is burning low, who tread the rocky path of life with painful steps and slow; O listen to the news of love which makes the heavens ring! O rest beside the weary road and hear the angels sing! And still the days are hastening on - by prophets long foretold - when with the passing of the years comes round the age of gold; when earth and heaven renewed shall see the Prince of Peace, their King; and all the earth repeat the song which now the angels sing.

See him lying on a bed of straw; Draughty stable with an open door, Mary cradling the babe she bore; The prince of glory is his name. Oh, now carry me to Bethlehem To see the Lord appear to men; Just as poor as was the stable then, The prince of glory when he came. Star of silver sweep across the skies, Show where Jesus in the manger lies. Shepherds swiftly from your stupor rise To see the Saviour of the world. chorus Mine are riches from your poverty, From your innocence, eternity; Mine, forgiveness by your death for me, Child of sorrow for my joy. chorus Angels, sing again the song you sang, Bring God’s glory to the heart of man; Sing that Bethl’em’s little baby can Be salvation to the soul. chorus

Morning All, Bit short on the tenors & basses, I think. Never mind, here's the next one: Come, watch with us this Christmas night; our hearts must travel far to darkened hills and heavens bright with star on shining star; to where in shadowy silence sleep the fields of Bethlehem, as shepherds wake their watch to keep and we will watch with them. Who would not join the angel-songs that tell the Saviour's birth? The Lord for whom creation longs has come at last to earth; the fulness of the Father's love is ours at Bethlehem, while angels throng the skies above and we will sing with them. Who would not journey far to share the wisdom of the wise, and gaze with them in wonder where the world's Redeemer lies? The Lord of all the lords that are is born at Bethlehem, and kings shall kneel beneath His star and we will bow with them. Lift every heart the hymn of praise that all creation sings; the angel host its homage pays, the shepherds and the kings. For earth and sky with one accord, O Child of Bethlehem, are come to worship Christ the Lord and we will come with them.

It came upon the midnight clear, That glorious song of old, From angels bending near the earth, To touch their harps of gold: 'Peace on the earth, goodwill to men From heavens all gracious King!' The world in solemn stillness lay To hear the angels sing. Still through the cloven skies they come, With peaceful wings unfurled; And still their heavenly music floats O'er all the weary world: Above its sad and lowly plains They bend on hovering wing, And ever o'er its Babel sounds The blessed angels sing. O ye beneath life's crushing load, Whose forms are bending low, Who toil along the climbing way With painful steps and slow; Look now, for glad and golden hours Come swiftly on the wing; Oh rest beside the weary road And hear the angels sing. For lo! the days are hastening on, By prophets seen of old, When with the ever-circling years Shall come the time foretold, When the new heaven and earth shall own The Prince of Peace, their King, And the whole world send back the song Which now the angels sing.

And finally for today: Come and join the celebration, it's a very special day; come and share our jubilation, there's a new King born today! See the shepherds hurry down to Bethlehem; gaze in wonder at the Son of God who lay before them. Come and join the celebration ..... Wise men journey, led to worship by a star, kneel in homage, bringing precious gifts from lands afar, so Come and join the celebration ..... 'God is with us,' round the world the message bring; He is with us, 'Welcome!' all the bells on earth are pealing. Come and join the celebration, it's a very special day; come and share our jubilation, there's a new King born today!

Here's another one: Child in the manger, infant of Mary, outcast and stranger, Lord of all! Child who inherits all our transgressions, all our demerits on Him fall. Once the most holy child of salvation, gentle and lowly lived below; now as our glorious mighty Redeemer, see Him victorious over each foe. Prophets foretold Him, infant of wonder; angels behold Him on His throne; worthy our Saviour of all our praises; happy for ever are His own.

And here's a more traditional one: Brightest and best of the sons 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 Saviour of all. Say, shall we yield Him, in costly devotion, odours of Edom, and offerings divine; gems of the mountain, and pearls of the ocean, myrrh from the forest, or gold from the mine? Vainly we offer each ample oblation; vainly with gifts would His favour secure; richer by far is the heart's adoration; dearer to God are the prayers of the poor. Brightest and best of the sons 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.

Morning folks, I see the carols are going well - well done! The brandy butter tastes all right as well, have asked the vicar to lock it away now until Christmas Day! OK, here's my next offering: Behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people; but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee. Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen. O arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is upon thee. The Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising; and they shall call thee the city of the Lord, the Zion of the Holy One of Israel. Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen. O arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is upon thee. Lift up thine eyes round about and see, they gather themselves together; and they shall come, thy sons from afar, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side. Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen. O arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is upon thee. Then shalt thou see and flow together, and thy heart shall be enlarged; the abundance of the sea is converted unto thee, and the nations shall come unto thee. Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen. O arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is upon thee. The sun shall no more go down, neither shall the moon withdraw itself; but the Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended. Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen. O arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is upon thee.

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 be by my side until morning is nigh Be near me Lord Jesus, I ask thee to stay Close by me for ever and love me, I pray Bless all the dear children in thy tender care And fit us for heaven to live with thee there. (Forgive my absence from choir practice - have been to London on family business) Angela

Yes, Aileen - Perry Como, Anne Murray, the Carpenters, Destiny's Child.

What a lovely thread. Thank you. Joy - I adore Do You Hear What I Hear. Am singing along to it now and it's bringing a tear to my eye. Soppy mare that I am. Not doing my board cred any good. But what the heck. Got this picture in my head of who recorded it but can't think of his name..... wasn't Perry Como was it? Aileen xxx

The Kerry Christmas Carol Brush the floor and clean the hearth, And set the fire to keep, For they might visit us tonight When all the world's asleep. Don't blow the tall white candle out But leave it burning bright, So that they'll know they're welcome here This holy Christmas night. Leave out the bread and meat for them, And sweet milk for the Child, And they will bless the fire, that baked And, too, the hands that toiled. For Joseph will be travel-tired, And Mary pale and wan, And they can sleep a little while Before they journey on. They will be weary of the roads, And rest will comfort them, For it must be many a lonely mile From here to Bethlehem. O long the road they have to go, The bad mile with the good, Till the journey ends on Calvary Beneath a cross of wood. Leave the door upon the latch, And set the fire to keep, And pray they'll rest with us tonight When all the world's asleep.

What Child Is This What child is this, who, laid to rest On Mary's lap, is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, While shepherds watch are keeping? This, this is Christ the King, Whom shepherds guard and angels sing: Haste, haste to bring him laud, The Babe, the Son of Mary! So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh, Come peasant king to own Him, The King of kings, salvation brings, Let loving hearts enthrone Him. Raise, raise the song on high, The Virgin sings her lullaby: Joy, joy, for Christ is born, The Babe, the Son of Mary!

Faith of Our Fathers Faith of our Fathers living still In spite of dungeon fire and sword Oh how our hearts beat high with joy Whene'er they hear that glorious word Faith of our Fathers Holy Faith We'll be true to thee till death Faith of our Fathers Holy Faith We'll be true to thee till death Our Fathers chained in prisons dark Were still in heart and conscience free How sweet would be their children's fate If they like them, could die for Thee

We saw the light shine out afar, On Christmas in the morning, And straight we knew Christ's Star it was, Bright beaming in the morning, Then did we fall on bended knee, on Christmas in the morning, And praised the Lord, who'd let us see His glory at its dawning. Oh! Every thought be of His name, On Christmas in the morning, Who bore for us the grief and shame, Affliction's sharpest scorning. And may we die, when death shall come, On Christmas in the morning, And see in Heav'n, our glorious home, The Star of Christmas morning.

As with gladness, men of old Did the guiding star behold As with joy they hailed its light Leading onward, beaming bright So, most glorious Lord, may we Evermore be led to Thee. As with joyful steps they sped To that lowly manger bed There to bend the knee before Him Whom heaven and earth adore; So may we with willing feet Ever seek Thy mercy seat. As they offered gifts most rare At that manger rude and bare; So may we with holy joy, Pure and free from sin's alloy, All our costliest treasures bring, Christ, to Thee, our heavenly King. Holy Jesus, every day Keep us in the narrow way; And, when earthly things are past, Bring our ransomed souls at last Where they need no star to guide, Where no clouds Thy glory hide.

Silent night, holy night, All is calm, all is bright Round yon virgin mother and child. Holy infant so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace. Sleep in heavenly peace. Silent night, holy night, Shepherds quake at the sight, Glories stream from heaven afar, Heavenly hosts sing alleluia; Christ the Saviour, is born! Christ the Saviour, is born! Silent night, holy night, Son of God, love's pure light Radiant beams from thy holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth. Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.

Carol of the Bells Lyrics Hark how the bells, sweet silver bells, all seem to say, throw cares away Christmas is here, bringing good cheer, to young and old, meek and the bold. Ding dong ding dong that is their song with joyful ring all caroling. One seems to hear words of good cheer from everywhere filling the air. Oh how they pound, raising the sound, o'er hill and dale, telling their tale. Gaily they ring while people sing songs of good cheer, Christmas is here. Merry, Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas, Merry, Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas. On on they send, on without end, their joyful tone to every home. Ding dong ding... dong! Carol Of The Bells Lyrics The Carol of the Bells lyrics were added to the original folk music from the Ukraine by Peter Wilhousky. The lyrics and words to this popular Christmas song celebrate the festive season and its traditions such as the pealing of church bells at Christmas and of the singing of Christmas Carols - caroling. The original Ukrainian lyrics to the song was entitled Shchedryk meaning bountiful and were traditionally sang to celebrate the New Year.

DO You Hear What I hear? Said the night wind to the little lamb, do you see what I see Way up in the sky, little lamb, do you see what I see A star, a star, dancing in the night With a tail as big as a kite With a tail as big as a kite Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy, do you hear what I hear Ringing through the sky, shepherd boy, do you hear what I hear A song, a song, high above the trees With a voice as big as the sea With a voice as big as the sea Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king, do you know what I know In your palace warm, mighty king, do you know what I know A Child, a Child shivers in the cold Let us bring Him silver and gold Let us bring Him silver and gold Said the king to the people everywhere, listen to what I say Pray for peace, people everywhere! listen to what I say The Child, the Child, sleeping in the night He will bring us goodness and light He will bring us goodness and light

The Wexford Carol Good people all, this Christmas-time, Consider well and bear in mind What our good God for us has done In sending his beloved Son. With Mary holy we should pray To God with love this Christmas day; In Bethlehem upon that morn There was a blessed Messiah born. The night before that happy tide The noble Virgin and her guide Were long time seeking up and down To find a lodging in the town. But mark how all things came to pass; From every door repelled alas! As long foretold, their refuge all Was but an humble ox's stall. There were three wise men from afar Directed by a glorious star, And on they wandered night and day Until they came where Jesus lay, And when they came unto that place Where our beloved Messiah was, They humbly cast them at his feet, With gifts of gold and incense sweet. Near Bethlehem did shepherds keep Their flocks of lambs and feeding sheep; To whom God's angels did appear, Which put the shepherds in great fear. 'Prepare and go', the angles said. 'To Bethlehem, be not afraid, For there you'll find this happy morn, A princely babe, sweet Jesus born. With thankful heart and joyful mind, The shepherds went the babe to find, And as God's angel had foretold, They did our savior Christ behold. Within a manger he was laid, And by his side the virgin maid, Attending on the Lord of life, Who came on earth to end all strife.