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Christmas plays in the Chalet School books
Jo of - The Nativity Play
Exploits - The Christmas Play
Shocks - The Three Kings
Barbara - Strangers at the Inn
Redheads - The Christmas Play
Challenge - The Nativity Play
Jo Returns
"IN DULCI JUBILO"
This is a 14th century German carol.
There is an English translation by Percy Dearmer:
In dulci jubilo
Now sing with hearts aglow
Our delight and pleasure
Lies in preasepio
Like sunshine is our treasure
Matris in gremio
Alpha es et O
Alpha es et O
"ON CHRISTMAS DAY IN THE MORNING"
This is a traditional carol.
I saw three ships come sailing in
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day
I saw three ships come sailing in
On Christmas day in the morning
"QUOI MA VOISINE?"
Quoi, ma voisine, es-tu fachee? is the traditional French version of an old Angevin carol
Neighbour, what has you so excited? Do tell me please.
Haven't you heard a child is born that all want to see?
Son of a pure and modest virgin, Mary's her name
They say her baby is the savior prophets proclaim
I would be pleased to go with you, so likely I'll go
But can we take our time to see him? Shop on the road?
Have you some cake to take the infant? Sugar-plums, too?
I'm sure that Mary's house is lovely, tidy and new
I am afraid that you're mistaken, wrong as can be
This blessed maiden has no splendid rich place to stay
For she lies within a wretched stable dirty and poor
There is no table for your presents, only the floor
Surely she has a warm soft cradle there for the child
One has to rock and calm an infant so weak and so mild
What sort of guards and servants has she to give her aid?
Cannot the heavenly father's power help the poor maid?
All they could think to find for a cradle - a manger bed
Bundle of dusty, dry straw to pillow his head
Joseph, her husband, he cares for Mary best as he can
In place of servant, ox and donkey are looking on
Traveling tires me, and this journey seems a long way
Only to see a new-born baby lying on hay
Maybe you shepherds find excitement in this affair
But I am used to things much better in which to share
You must not talk that way, my neighbour - mark what I say
Upon my honour, this is our saviour born on this day
It is his choice to come so humbly there in a stall
Granting his pow'r and grace so gently to one and all
O blessed mother, free us all from arrogant pride
May we, when life on earth is ended, hasten to your side
Daring to hope you will present us to your dear son
And that we'll gain the bliss and joy of paradise won
"HAJEJ NYNJEJ"
This is known as "Little Jesus sweetly sleep" or the Rocking Carol
It is a traditional Czech carol and was translated by Percy Dearmer (1867-1936)
Little Jesus, sweetly sleep,
Do not stir, we will lend a coat of fur;
We will rock you, rock you, rock you,
We will rock you, rock you, rock you;
See the fur to keep you warm,
Snugly round your tiny form.
Mary's little baby, sweetly sleep,
Sleep in comfort, slumber deep;
We will rock you, rock you, rock you,
We will rock you, rock you, rock you;
We will serve you all we can,
Darling, darling little man.
Another version is:
Jesus, Jesus, little one, little one
Gift of heaven Mary's son.
We will rock you, rock you, rock you.
We will rock you, rock you, rock you.
Jesus, Jesus do not fear,
Those who love you will be near.
Hajej, nynej, Jezisku, Jezisku
Pucime tikozisku
We will rock you, rock you, rock you.
We will rock you, rock you, rock you.
We will serve you all we can,
Darling, darling, little man.
"O, DEUED POB CRISTION"
The English version is by Katharine Emily Roberts 1877-1962 based on a Welsh carol
Verses 2 and 3 are sung to the second half of the tune.:
All poor men and humble
All lame men who stumble
Come haste ye nor feel ye afraid
For Jesus, our treasure
With love past all measure
In lowly poor manger was laid
Though wise men who found him
Laid rich gifts around him
Yet oxen they gave him their hay
And Jesus in beauty
Accepted their duty
Contented in manger he lay
Then haste we to show him
The praises we owe him
Our service he ne'er can despise
Whose love is still able
To show us that stable
Where softly in manger he lies
"CONGAUDEAT TURBA FIDELIUM"
The lyrics in their Latin form appear in Piae Cantiones (Swedish, 1582) but the melody is found as early as the 12th century, from Apt, near Avignon, France.
Apparently the English version is the carol "Patapan":
Willie take your little drum
With your whistle Robin come
When we hear the fife and drum
tu-re-lu-re-lu pata pata pan
When we hear the fife and drum
Christmas should be frolicsome
Thus the men of olden days
Loved the king of king to praise
When they hear the fife and drum
tu-re-lu-re-lu pata pata pan
When they hear the fife and drum
Sure our children won't be dumb
God and man are now become
More at one than fife and drum
When you hear the fife and drum
tu-re-lu-re-lu pata pata pan
When you hear the fife and drum
Dance and make the village hum
"ADESTE FIDELES"
A hymn used at Christmas in France and Britain since the end of the eighteenth century. The most popular musical setting is attributed to John Reading, organist at Winchester Cathedral from 1675-81, and later at Winchester College. The hymn is probably of French or German authorship.
Adeste Fideles (Cantica Natalicia) Latin Words by J. Reading, 1692:
Adeste, fideles, laeti triumphantes
Venite, venite in Bethlehem
Natum videte Regem angelorum
Venite adoremus
Venite adoremus
Venite adoremus Dominum
Deum de Deo, lumen de lumine,
Gestant puellae viscera
Deum verum, Genitum non factum
Cantet nunc "Io" Chorus angelorum,
Cantet nunc aula coelestium
"Gloria, gloria in excelsis Deo!"
Ergo qui natus die hodierna,
Iesu, tibi sit gloria,
Patris aeterni Verbum caro factum
En grege relicto, humiles ad cunas
Vocati pastores approperant
Et nos ovanti gradu festinemus
Aeterni Parentis splendorem aeternum
Velatum sub carne videbimus
Deum infantem, pannis involutum
Pro nobis egenum et faeno cubantem
Piis foveamus amplexibus
Sic nos amantem quis non redamaret?
Stella duce, Magi Christum adorantes
Aurum, tus et myrrham dant munera
Iesu infanti corda praebeamus
English translation by Frederick Oakeley 1802-80 and others
O come all ye faithful
Joyful and trumphant
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem
Come and behold him
Born the King of angels
O come, let us adore him
O come, let us adore him
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord
God of God
Light of Light
Lo! He abhors not the Virgin's womb
Very God
Begotten, not created
Sing, choirs of angels
Sing in exultation
Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above
'Glory to God
In the highest'
For Christmas day:
Yea, Lord we greet thee
Born this happy morning
Jesus, to thee be glory given
Word of the Father
