“Hills of the North, Rejoice” is from the group of songs exhorting bits of the landscape to celebrate. It begins with

“Hills of the north, rejoice;
River and mountain-spring,
Hark to the advent voice;
Valley and lowland, sing:”

There’s a lot of this in the Bible, and it’s popular at Advent, when not only hills and trees and rocks and streams are expected to rejoice, but gates are supposed to lift up their heads. I like this motif, myself. I think the idea of trees clapping their hands and rivers laughing and singing is lovely. It would be unnerving to see, I admit, but still very cool.

We don’t sing this song much any more, though it has a haunting melody and some cool words. It is one of the old  “missionary hymns” which can sound disrespectful to us now.

Isles of the southern seas,
Deep in your coral caves
Pent be each warring breeze,
Lulled be your restless waves:
He comes to reign with boundless sway,
And makes your wastes His great highway.

Lands of the East, awake,
Soon shall your sons be free;
The sleep of ages break,
And rise to liberty.
On your far hills, long cold and gray,
Has dawned the everlasting day.

We start out with the north, then move on to the south with its wastes, the east where apparently they’ve been pretty miserable, and then to the “utmost west,” which is described as “unvisited, unblest.” It’s hard not to think of these hymns as  expressing some low opinion of other nations. Still, we get the coral caves. If you can’t sing something like this with charitable thoughts about the unenlightened time when it was written, there are new words.  A writer after my own heart has some things to say about swapping bad poetry for good, but there are things to be said for accessibility. Or you could sing in in Latin translation,

The last verse goes like this:

“Sing, while you journey home;
Songs be in every mouth;
Lo, from the north we come,
From east and west and south.
City of God, the bond are free,
We come to live and reign in thee!”

This was written by Charles Oakley, a lawyer and country vicar in Gloucestershire at the turn of the last century. YouTube has a wordless version with nice slides, and a guitar instrumental. You can hear the words on LastFM, but there aren’t many recordings of this song. You’ll have to sing it yourself.

Today is, for me, a marathon knitting day as I strive to finish #2 son’s sweater in time for Christmas. I have work to do, but I am not going to do it. I’m going to sit on the sofa watching Netflix instant watch and knitting sleeves.

“Before the Starry Universe” is a new advent hymn from LNW Hymns, to the tune of “God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen.” The author, Ken Bible, describes his project as providing ” new texts for familiar Christmas tunes that have no accessible Christian text.”

I’m not sure that “God Rest Ye” is all that inaccessible. You can hear  Barenaked Ladies ragging it up, Loreena McKennitt with fiddle and drums, Jars of Clay madly scooping, Chanticleer starting out very traditional and getting fancy, or MercyMe with heavy percussion. If you want to buy a recording, you can have Bing Crosby, Manheim Steamroller, Rascal Flatts — the hard part is finding some genre of music that has never produced a recording of this song.

Let’s look at it more closely:

“God rest you merry, gentlemen” — okay, lots of people think that this line is suggesting that some happy guys take a rest, rather than expressing a general hope that God will keep the listeners (assumed to be gentlemen, since the women would be at home) happy.
“Let nothing you dismay” — odd word order for us nowadays, but I bet most people get this line.
“Remember, Christ our savior was born on Christmas day” — pretty clear.
“To save us all from Satan’s power when we were gone astray” — most people don’t believe in Satan or feel that they’ve gone astray, but this line also seems clear.
“O tidings of comfort and joy.” — Pretty clear.

We then get the story of angels and shepherds that we all know.

“Before the Starry Universe” has the story of human turning away from God and God’s sending Christ to bring people back to Him, with this refrain:

Praise God for the wonder of His love,
Infinite love!
Praise God for the wonder of His love!

So if you like the tune of “God Rest Ye…” and would like something less 18th century in the way of words, you’re set.

I had a lively workday yesterday, with a new job coming up and lots of current projects to work on, so no complaints from me. I was supposed to go caroling last night, but didn’t. Instead I tried to get some progress on #2 son’s sweater, which is supposed to be finished for Christmas. This may not happen.

Last night was the dress rehearsal for the downhill church choir’s Christmas program. Among the various things we’re singing are “African Noel” and “Behold That Star.” These are fun to sing.

That’s the only pleasant thing I  have to say today, because the stupid dog barked unceasingly from 3:47 a.m. to 4:47 a.m.,  when I gave up and got out of bed. I am therefore sleep deprived and grumpy.

A couple of years ago I tried to tell you about a song called “Followers of the Lamb.” We sang Christmas words to this at that time, but I couldn’t find you a recording. It sounded, I thought, like Christmas on the Pirate Ship.

Now, since many people spend lots of time putting stuff on YouTube for fun, I was able to find it for you. Actually, these aren’t the words we sang. I can’t find the Christmas version of this song, and I can’t remember it either, so I have to enjoy this song this season by singing, “Deedle deedle deedle, they followed the star to Bethlehem, tra la la la la, they followed the something star!”

The truth is, a lot of people sing Christmas carols this way: “God rest you merry, gentlemen, dee da da da da da!”

Anyway, this is a sprightly tune. Play it on your fiddle and dance, since I can’t give you the words. You can have free sheet music from Gwyneth Walker for “Followers of the Lamb,”

Today I spent the day playing with a variety of cool software and using fun tools. This is my job. How lucky am I?

Today’s song is “Whence is that goodly fragrance flowing?” or “Quelle est cette odeur agreeable?” Norwegian singer Sissel sings this very beautifully, but there’s a more relaxed version   with guitar for people who don’t like big music. Casey Stratton plays it grandly with lots of background noise and sings it with lots of scooping, but it’s still a nice song.

After all, this is a song sung by shepherds. They were hanging out on the hillside, minding their flocks (okay, we used to sing “As shepherds washed their socks by night,” but they were probably minding their flocks). Shepherds, I’m told, were buried with a bit of wool to remind God that they had missed a lot of church because they were with the sheep. It was hard work, and probably dull a lot of the time, though I expect they got a good deal of knitting done.

So there they are, and all of a sudden they smell this amazing fragrance. Ravishing, in fact. It is the scent of angels. This is one of the things I love about this song: the fact that it considers what angels would smell like. I honestly had never thought about that before I heard this song, and it’s a nice thing to think about.

Anyway, the shepherds are sitting there on the hillside and their senses are overwhelmed by the beauty of this fragrance. Next comes a light brighter than the sun.The song doesn’t go on to talk about how the angels spoke to the shepherds, but you can understand their being sore afraid, can’t you? Honestly, it sounds like a visitation by a UFO, except that I think people who talk about seeing UFOs never mention the scent of the ship as it appears before them.

1. Whence is the goodly fragrance flowing,
Stealing our senses all away,
never the like did come a-blowing,
Shepherds, in flow’ry fields of May,
Whence is that goodly fragrance flowing,
Stealing our senses all away.

2. What is that light so brilliant, breaking
Here in the night across our eyes.
Never so bright, the day-star waking,
Started to climb the morning skies!
What is that light so brilliant, breaking,
Here in the night across our eyes.

3. Bethlehem! there in manger lying,
Find your Redeemer haste away,
Run ye with eager footsteps vieing!
Worship the Saviour born today.
Bethlehem! there in manger lying,
Find your Redeemer haste away.

This is a French carol, from the 15th century when it was probably easier to imagine the shepherds without thinking of UFOs. You can sing it with any instrument or no instrument, I think, and of course it’s lovely with harmonies. I think you could also play this on your classical guitar to excellent effect., or on a flute or harp if you’re good at it. No snare drum, I think.

The song for today is one that I think I have never featured before. The view of Garrison Keillor on this song has generally expressed my views on it: it’s a horrible song, a song that probably drives more people to express loathing for Christmas music, kick cats, and feel inexplicably depressed than any other song.

Yes, I am offering you today “The Little Drummer Boy.” This song was written by Katherine Davis in 1941, and has been irritating people probably ever since.

The Prairie Home Companion has the best advice for the average rendition of this song:

“Don’t buy CDs that contain The Little Drummer Boy. When you hear it playing in an elevator, get out immediately and walk the rest of the way. And don’t give your children drums for Christmas. And if you feel dark urges — (SLOW MOTION Little Drummer Boy CHORDS UNDER…) Go outdoors. Move away from the music source. Lie down on your back in the snow and move your arms up and down to make the shape of wings. Get up carefully and brush the snow off. Take a deep breath.“

However, I’ve just been to a concert of choral music where it was sung very beautifully, very simply. I really enjoyed it. So if you have always liked “The Little Drummer Boy” and felt cross with my hatred of it and perhaps my constantly holding it up as an example of rotten holiday music we all hate (along with “Frosty the Snowman” and “Do You Hear what I Hear?”), then you can feel vindicated. 

It was a very nice concert. La Bella and I went, and when the conductor invited audience members to stand and join in the singing of the “Hallelujah Chorus,” we did so.

It was a nice way to end a the day.

I started the day with writing, tech issues, and the shock of walking out to my car and finding it covered with ice. I got into the car, which tells the temperature, and learned that it was 19 degrees out. I had no coat, no mittens, no hat or scarf, no woolly socks. I own plenty of those things, but somehow I hadn’t expected it to be so cold. It was 75 degrees a week or two ago. Apparently, winter began when I wasn’t looking.

I taught a very small class composed of brave students willing to come out in 19 degree weather, and then stopped by my parents’ new place. It’s very cozy, and they seem to be well settled in. I’m glad to have them closer by.

After that, I came home and read through #1 son’s portfolio. He’s turning out to be quite a good writer. His poetry and short stories are impressive. I’m trying not to automatically think, “Hey, he can work for me.” However, I read his stuff and then got to my writing. I’ve been working on a film production gear company and a property management company. I think I’m ready to move on to the next project for each of the two companies in question, but waiting to hear back from the clients.

#2 daughter and I got to try out a cool beta version online tool in the afternoon.

So, yes, it was a very nice day.

Yesterday I worked for half the day and then did some holiday stuff: wrapping gifts, putting out decorations, knitting #2 son’s sweater, stuff like that.

I usually buy good quality paper at the after Christmas sales (like in February, when it has gone to a dollar a roll) but for some reason I wasn’t on top of things last year and ended up buying some cheap paper. Still a dollar a roll, and it gets thrown away almost immediately, right?

This was a bad idea, frankly. It tears, the packages show through, it doesn’t crease cleanly so you have to tape it in multiple extra places. A false economy, as my mother would say. However, I enjoyed what I was doing anyway.

Today was time to finish up the Australians’ blog (that’s the Colour of the Year for 2011 in the heart, in case you’re wondering) and then sing at a couple of Advent services, followed by our community choir concert.

Today’s song has to be In Dulci Jubilo. There are so many variations on this that you doubtless have your own favorite, from “Good Christians All, Rejoice” to the Latin version with brass which is what we did at our concert.  Now I must grade papers, so I’ll say no more at the moment.

Yesterday I worked on a film production company website, a property management company website, a financial management company’s email marketing campaign, and of course my own company’s websites. I also did a proposal for one prospective client and a meeting with another. In all, I toggled 11 and a half working hours. I have to work today, too.

Some of the stuff I was doing was code and editing, which requires attention and precision but no deep thought. Accordingly, I put on some Christmas music. A little Bach, some medieval stuff… That’s not what you need for a long long workday. No, what you need for excessive work is something like Boogie Woogie Santa Claus.

Here are the words:

Well look here Jack
There’s something down the track
He’s got rhythm in his feet
But nothing in the sack
The boogie woogie Santa Claus
Boogie woogie Santa Claus
Boogie woogie Santa
Comes to town every Christmas day

Well it’s rock rock rock Mr. Santa
Jump jump jump Mr. Santa Claus
Well the boogie woogie Santa
Will boogie all your blues away

Leon René wrote this song. It was recorded in 1948 by Mabel Scott, then by Patti Page in 1950, and more recently by the Brian Setzer Orchestra. It contains no challenging imagery, no deep theological implications or controversial claims. It’s just sort of fun to listen to while you get your divs and spans in order.

The stupid dog woke me up at 4:00 a.m., which I didn’t like at the time, but it could mean that I’ll get my work done early enough to take the afternoon off. I want to do some Christmas decorating and Christmas present knitting. I plan to sing “Boogie Woogie Santa Claus” as I do so.

Check out Lori Seaborg’s “Disappearing Nine Patch Quilt.” Last night one of the ladies of the choirlet, a skilled quilter and knitter, gave me a ride to rehearsal and told me along the way about the class she’s giving in how to make a bag or briefcase from a quilt block. I carry a briefcase myself, since I cart student papers to and fro, and printouts to show clients who are more at ease with paper. My kids carry laptops. So I was imagining what a nice, quick Christmas present such a bag would make if you machine quilted it. Fusible web, the quilter said, and crosshatching — pick an elegant suiting fabric or even an upholstery fabric with a subtle pattern, and there you’d be.

Then the quilter started describing the ones she was using as examples: a pink and green print of candy with a bright yellow geometric having lots of different sizes of circles, and a stripe.

Whip that out at a meeting and see what happens.

With that fresh in my mind, though, I ran into Lori’s tutorial, and thought that it would make a very snazzy non-briefcase. The briecase that I carry is pictured here, and I love it. It’s as relaxed as I could comfortably carry to meetings.

Honestly, I’m tempted sometimes to carry my Google bag, just because it’s so cool that I have one. I am saved from this show off temptation by the fact that none of my clients or students will have any idea how cool it is to have a Google bag. They would probably think I had bought it.

I have a meeting today with a prospective client. I am feeling a bit overwhelmed with the amount of work I have for current clients, so I’m having to work hard to have a good attitude about this meeting. “OMG! I can’t believe these people are calling and interrupting me!” is not the right attitude with which to approach meetings with prospective clients.

I’m having fun with the work I’m doing, though, even if I am worrying that I’ll never get it finished. And, while I have given up sleep for the nonce, I haven’t given up rehearsals. Accordingly, I tried last night to persuade the choirlet to sing today’s song of the day: “Born on a New Day.” I love this song. They liked it, too, but felt that it was too hard. I won’t suggest that you sing it, then, especially since it’s kind of hard to sing all the parts yourself and your friends, too, might balk at having to learn it real quick. Just listen to it.

If you’re having sort of a mad day, as I expect to be, you’ll feel better. It was written by John David, arranged by Peter Knight, and recorded by both the King’s Singers and the Cambridge Singers. It’s one of the most lovely of new Christmas carols. If you honestly prefer Lady Gaga’s “Christmas Tree,” that’s okay,but you should at least listen to it all the way through before you decide.

I went last night to the rehearsal at the down-the-hill church, instead of the up-the-hill church where I have been going. The difference is striking. At the up-the-hill church, everyone scurries to be on time, enters and takes a seat quietly, and the time between songs is quiet. At the down-the-hill church, many people are late, including the pianist, people talk all the way through the rehearsal, even when there is simply a rest in their part, and much time is wasted in laughing and bickering.

You wouldn’t think we were in the same town.

Both are fun, though there’s a predictable difference in the outcome as far as the music goes. Last night’s rehearsal was not only a jolly way to spend an evening, it also included a new-to-me carol that I really like, “Star in the East.”  Here’s some shape note music for it. Here’s a Wikimedia file, and here’s a YouTube file with an authentic shape note sound, which not everyone will enjoy. Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer share the dulcimer tab for it in pdf form. It’s included in the podcast of The Rose Ensemble. You can sing it with a YouTube karaoke while you get to know it.

The song is also known as “Brightest and Best of the Sons of the Morning,” though I know a completely different song by that name so I won’t be calling it that. It is usually attributed to William Walker, author of the shape note hymnal Southern Harmony, but Oremus says it’s by Reginald Heber, the Bishop of Calcutta.

If you’re not determined to sing it in  traditional shape note style, it’s a beautiful tune. The words are pretty cool, too:

1. Brightest and best of the stars of the morning,
dawn on our darkness, and lend us thine aid;
star of the east, the horizon adorning,
guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

Refrain:
Brightest and best of the stars of the morning,
dawn on our darkness, and lend us thine aid;
star of the east, the horizon adorning,
guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

2. Cold on his cradle the dewdrops are shining,
low lies his head with the beasts of the stall;
angels adore him in slumber reclining,
Maker and Monarch and Savior of all. (Refrain)

3. Shall we then yield him, in costly devotion
odors of Edom, and offerings divine,
gems of the mountain, and pearls of the ocean,
myrrh from the forest, or gold from the mine? (Refrain)

4. Vainly we offer each ample oblation,
vainly with gifts would his favor secure;
richer by far is the heart’s adoration,
dearer to God are the prayers of the poor. (Refrain)

5. Brightest and best of the stars of the morning,
dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid;
star of the east, the horizon adorning,
guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

This is a very good song for fiddles and other stringed instruments.

If you get tired, as many people do, of hearing the same Christmas music over and over at this time of year, you may be cheered by the knowledge that there are always lots more different tunes out there to learn.