Composition Details
- Composed by: Traditional English
- Arranged by: Sir David Willcocks
- Canadian Work: No
- Duration: 2:00
Performed in Concert
In Collections
Program Notes:
The origins of this popular British carol are not known, but Ralph Vaughan Williams and Cecil Sharp transcribed it as sung to them in 1919, bringing it into the carol books and homes of people around the world.
Conductor Notes:
G major – with piano. Published in Carols for Choirs
The text provided here includes a few updates for gender-neutrality.
On Christmas night all Christians sing,
To hear the news the angels bring.
News of great joy, news of great mirth,
News of our merciful King’s birth.
Then why should we on earth be so sad
Since our Redeemer made us glad?
When from our sin he set us free,
All for to gain our liberty?
When sin departs before His grace
Then life and health come in its place;
Angels and all with joy may sing,
All for to see the newborn King.
All out of darkness we have light
Which made the angels sing this night:
“Glory to God and peace to men
Now and for evermore. Amen!”