Recharged from the summer, I delved into the carol book and discovered an Old French gem. Not having grown up with this carol made it easy to re-harmonize the melody for a cappella treble choir. I also reworked some of the lyrics to focus on the joy I feel every holiday season. Merry Christmas!
PDF: Bring A Torch SSA
Midi: Bring A Torch midi
Lyrics:
1. Bring a torch, Jeanette, Isabella,
Bring a torch it is dark in the stall;
It is Jesus, good folks of the village,
Run quickly I hear Mary’s soft call.
Ah, ah, radiant is the mother,
Ah, ah, angelic is the child
Hush, hush, see how the child is sleeping,
Hush, hush, see how he smiles in dream.
2. Stars, they glow and night is unveiled,
Stars, they glow, now jump out of bed!
Silence now as you gather around him,
Wake not the babe who shines so bright.
3. Bring a torch Jeanette, Isabella,
Bring your family, your friends and all;
It is Jesus, good folks of the city,
Angels are singing soft and sweet.
Ah, ah, gaze down at peaceful slumber,
Ah, ah, gaze down at his small face.
Hush, hush, listen to angels singing,
Hush, hush, see how he smiles in dreams.
If you perform any of my works, please email me at heather (dot) k (dot) graves (at) gmail (dot) com, as I would love to hear others’ versions of my compositions. Thanks! Please also contact me if you would like the MuseScore file.
Update:
Thank you to Matthew Swickey of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church (Tampa, Florida) for contacting me! The women of his choir sung this arrangement as part of their 2014 Christmas Eve service. It is so wonderful to hear that my work is out in the world!
Heather Graves Soderling 