Favorite Carols 2009 – Compliments of Musica Sacra Forum (www.musicasacra.com) members and readers here. My thanks to all.
This listing is in no particular order. Some are carols; some, art songs; some, hymns. Some selections received multiple votes. Let serendipity rule!
Cant des ocells (Catalan)
Star of the Morning (William Walker’s Southern Harmony)
Judea (A Virgin Unspotted), William Billings
Shiloh (Methinks I Hear a Heavenly Host), William Billings
In the Bleak Midwinter – Gustav Holst tune
Bethlehem Down, Peter Warlock
The Lamb, John Taverner
This Endris Night
O I would go to Bethlehem, David McKay Williams
Noel, David McKay Williams
Just about anything in the Oxford Book of Carols
Carol of the Birds, John Jacob Niles
Jesus, Jesus Rest Your Head, John Jacob Niles
Sweet Marie and Her Baby, John Jacob Niles
I wonder as I wander, John Jacob Niles
The Little Road to Bethlehem, Michael Head
The Snow Lay on the Ground
A Stable Lamp is Lighted, words by Richard Wilbur, tune Adujar by David Hurd
Sing of Mary, Blest is She – Parish Book of English Hymns
Mother of Mercy, Peace, and Love – Parish Book of English Hymns
Personent hodie
O Little Town of Bethlehem – Walford Davies’ tune
In the Bleak Midwinter – Harold Darke’s tune
Once in Royal David’s City
See Amid the Winter’s Snow
Brightest and Best of the Stars of the Morning to George Thalden-Balls “Jesmian”
The Wexford Carol
Whence Comes this Rush of Wings?
Psallite
In Dulci Jubilo
Lullay my Liking
Il est né
Ding, Dong, Merrily on High
Myn Lyking – R. R. Terry
Thou didst Leave – tune Margaret
Riu Riu Chiu
Sussex Carol
Candlelight Carol
Suantrai na Maighdine (The Virgin’s Lullaby)