Description
Kathleen Allen has created a vibrant and distinctive setting of this familiar 15th century Christmas text. The music begins with a modal melody over a drone; this melody is developed with varied textures for each subsequent verse. Each refrain is a series of litany-like rhythmic repetitions that eventually become the accompaniment for the final verse. A light quasi-vocal percussion texture in the middle section imitates the sounds of bells. Fun and memorable, this carol is sure to be a favorite selection in any Christmas concert or series.
Performance by Christ Church Cathedral, Victoria, B.C.
Donald Hunt, Director of Music
Text
I syng of a mayden
that is makeles,
kyng of alle kynges
to here son che ches.
He came so stylle
there his moder was
as dew in aprylle,
that fallyt on the gras.
He cam also stylle
to his moderes bowr
as the dew in aprille,
that fallyt on the flour.
He cam also stylle
þer his moder lay
as dew in Aprille,
that fallyt on the spray.;
Modera & mayden
was never non but che,
wel may swych a lady
Godes moder be.
–Anonymous, 15th cent.
I sing of a maiden
that is matchless,
King of all kings
for her son she chose.
He came as still
there his mother was
as dew in April
that falls on the grass.
He came as still
to his mother’s bower
as dew in April
that falls on the flower.
He came as still
where his mother lay
as dew in April
that falls on the spray.
Mother and maiden
there was never one but she;
well may such a lady
God’s mother be.
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