Ah Quand Reviendras le Temps Bergere by Julien Tiersot

Dear Julien Tiersot,

It has been a bit difficult for me, in sparse free time to find out anything about you. Answers.com says this, but Wikipedia's entry is in French (which I could barely parse and certainly not authoritatively).

b Bourgen-Bresse, 5 July 1857; d Paris, 10 Aug 1936). French musicologist and folklorist. A pupil of Massenet (composition) and Franck (organ) at the Paris conservatoire, he became head of the library there, president of the Société Française de Musicologie and active on behalf of early and contemporary music; meanwhile he wrote books on French Revolutionary music, on music in Molière's comedies and on Rousseau. His chief importance lies in his work as a folklorist, especially in the classic collection Mélodies populaires des provinces de France (10 vols., 1888-1928).

Still, this wonderful carol is the one I chose to represent, this advent week, the spirit of the shepherds. Oh, how beautiful it is.

Translation (I'm sure there is a better one out there, somewhere, but I couldn't find it.)

Ah! When will return the time, shepherdess
Ah! When will return the time?

Where, by one evening full of such a pure mystery

Upon slopes, woods, and fields,

In Bethlehem towards the thatched cottage

Came down from heaven an angel of light

Ah!

Ah! When will return the time, shepherdess?

Ah! When will return the time?

What sweet harmonies echoed in the clear night

The voice in chorusand the instruments!

Were there ever on our earth,

More beautiful tunes

And a more beautiful sanctuary?

Ah!

Ah! When will return the time, shepherdess?

Ah! When will return the time?

What hopes, what a sincere love filled our beating hearts?

How we ran, full of light mood

Through valleys and mounts

To see the Virgin Mother!

Ah!

Sung by the choirs des Petit Chanteurs à la Croix de Bois

The good people at ScribD have posted this beautiful version of another of your works. Isn't technology wonderful.


You were best known as a folklorist, but this carol is magnifique!

BRD

And in a Little Prison Near Bethlehem

Dear Friends who are still concerned about babies in Bethlehem,



As Tamar Katz, a 19-year-old Israeli woman was being arrested, she said, "I am not willing to become one of those holding the gun pointed indiscriminately at Palestinian civilians, and I do not believe that such actions could bring any change except ever more antagonism and violence in our region."

She is what is known as one of the Shministim or a refusnik. When she refused to put on the Israeli military uniform, she was put in solitary confinement. No phone calls, no contact, not even access to the most basic hygiene.

Today, December 18, is Shministim Day of Action. Could you support these courageous young people in their stand for morality and justice? You, just have to sign a letter.

For more information on Omer Goldman see this article by Ed Asner (Huffington Post).

BRD

Es ist ein Ros entsprungen or Lo, How a Rose Eer Blooming for the Third Sunday of Advent

Liebe Freunde,

This series of musical musings is the way I am celebrating advent. The music that I've chosen is not necessarily advent music, but rather Christmas music if you want to get technical. And many people in liturgical circles are not content to be anything but technical. No, they do not let themselves sing the carols they want to sing, because they are Christmas carols, not advent songs. How do we tell these dear Episcopal friends and other followers of higher forms of liturgy in worship that it is, well, ok?

Sigh. I want to tell them to relax, but they cannot.

This is an advent song, appropriate, to this third week of Advent, the shepherd's week with it's pink candle. Why pink? Some people say for the joy of it. And that is nearly a good enough reason for me. But there is a little more and it is depicted in the beautiful carol, Lo, How a Rose Eer Blooming. Sung here in German, slowly, we are drawn to see the special beauty of a rose, a pink one, springing up out of season. And the beauty to our sight and the fragrance in a night half spent, does, indeed, give us great joy.

The original carol has 23 stanzas, much more than the translation below.



This is the translation that was offered with this piece on YouTube and is said to be a literal rendering of the German. The carol "sprung up" in the 15th century in Germany and reflects prophetic scriptures from the Old Testament:

Song of Solomon, 2:1,
"I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys."

and Isaiah 11:1,
"There shall come forth a shoot
from the stump of Jesse,
and a branch shall grow out of his roots."

---

A rose has sprung up,
from a tender root.
As to us the men of old have sung,
Its lineage was from Jesse.
And it has brought forth a little blossom
In the middle of the cold winter
When the night was half spent.
Of which Isaiah spoke
Is Mary, the pure one,
Who has brought to us the little blossom.
According to Gods eternal counsel,
She has borne a child
When the night was half spent.
The little blossom, so small

That smells so sweet to us
With its very great light
Dispels the darkness.
True man and true God!
It helps us in all trouble,
Saves from sin and death.

---

Lo, How a Rose Eer Blooming is my husband's favorite Christmas Carol, and I do understand why.

Blessings,

BRD

Riu, Riu, Chiu (Anonymous Spanish Villancico*)

Dear Anonymous,

Expectation. Waiting.

Advent is about waiting. Waiting for Christ's birth. Waiting for Christ's return. Waiting for the reconciliation of the world to Christ to come, where justice will be experienced in fullness, and we will no longer deal with the horrors of this world.

As I was looking for audio of one of my favorite Christmas songs that I sang in choir in college, I came across this video. And it really does make me long--even hunger--for the return of Christ. So thank you for this reminder of what I'm waiting for, of what the Lord has done in preparation already, and of why I'm still waiting for salvation.

Lord, protect our lambs from the wolves that roam our world, seeking to devour.


TheUkieVillain



WARNING: The following video is *extremely* graphic in its violence, and the first 1:20 is intentional black-out. (The following example is an anti-war statement but portrays the violent death and horror that accompanies it. Scroll down to hear and view a more traditional approach to caroling!)


This version has the full lyrics, sans violence.


Lyrics:

Riu, riu, chiu La guarda ribera Dios guarde el lobo De nuestra cordera. El lobo rabioso la quiso morder, Mas Dios poderoso la supo defender; Quisole hazer que no pudiesse pecar, Ni aun original esta Virgen no tuviera. Riu, riu, chiu... Este qu'es nascido es el gran monarca, Cristo patriarca de carne vestido; Hanos redimido con se hazer chiquito, Aunqu'era infinito, finito se hizera. Riu, riu, chiu... Muchas profecias lo han profetizado, Y aun en nuestros dias lo hemos alcancado. A Dios humanado vemos en el suelo Y al hombre nel cielo porqu'er le quisiera. Riu, riu, chiu... Yo vi mil Garzones que andavan cantando, Por aqui bolando, haciendo mil sones, Diziendo a gascones Gloria sea en el cielo, Y paz en el suelo qu'es Jesus nascieta. Riu, riu, chiu... Este viene a dar a los muertos vida Y viene a reparar de todos la caida; Es la luz del dia aqueste mocuelo; Este es el cordero que San Juan dixera. Riu, riu, chiu... Pues que ya tenemos lo que desseamos, Todos juntos vamos presentes llevemos; Todos le daremos nuestra voluntad, Pues a se igualar con el hombre viniera. Riu, riu, chiu...

Riu, riu, chiu (nightingale's sounds) The river bank protects it, As God kept the wolf from our lamb. The rabid wolf tried to bite her, But God Almighty knew how to defend her, He wished to create her impervious to sin, Nor was this maid to embody original sin. Riu, riu, chiu... The newborn child is the mightiest monarch, Christ patriarchal invested with flesh. He made himself small and so redeemed us: He who was infinite became finite. Riu, riu, chiu... Many prophecies told of his coming, And now in our days have we seen them fulfilled. God became man, on earth we behold him, And see man in heaven because he so willed. Riu, riu, chiu... A thousand singing herons I saw passing, Flying overhead, sounding a thousand voices, Exulting, "Glory be in the heavens, and peace on Earth, for Jesus has been born." Riu, riu, chiu... He comes to give life to the dead, He comes to redeem the fall of man; This child is the light of day, He is the very lamb Saint John prophesied. Riu, riu, chiu... Now we have gotten what we were all desiring, Go we together to bear him gifts: Let each give his will to the God who was willing To come down to Earth man's equal to be. Riu, riu, chiu...**

*Villancico: A lyric form, often set to music, of Spain and Portugal during the 15th and 16th Century Renaissance.
**Another nice translation

Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day

Dear Choirboys,

I love what you have done with this little English carol, though the video itself is a bit fuzzy. You have captured, I think, the joyous paradox of this song by John Gardner with the militaristic thruming of the tom-tom and the lovely lyrical sound of boys' voices.

Merry Christmas.

BRD



Tomorrow shall be my dancing day I would my true love did so chance To see the legend of my play To call my true love to my dance.
Chorus: Sing, oh! my love, oh! my love, my love, my love This have I done for my true love.

Then was I born of a virgin pure Of her I took fleshly substance Thus was I knit to man's nature To call my true love to my dance.
Chorus: Sing, oh! my love, oh! my love, my love, my love This have I done for my true love.

In a manger laid, and wrapped I was So very poor, this was my chance Betwixt an ox and a silly poor ass To call my true love to my dance.
Chorus: Sing, oh! my love, oh! my love, my love, my love This have I done for my true love.

Then afterwards baptized I was The Holy Ghost on me did glance My Father's voice heard from above To call my true love to my dance.
Chorus: Sing, oh! my love, oh! my love, my love, my love This have I done for my true love.

Into the desert I was led Where I fasted without substance The Devil bade me make stones my bread To have me break my true love's dance.
Chorus: Sing, oh! my love, oh! my love, my love, my love This have I done for my true love.

The Jews on me they made great suit And with me made great variance Because they loved darkness rather than light To call my true love to my dance.
Chorus: Sing, oh! my love, oh! my love, my love, my love This have I done for my true love.

For thirty pence Judas me sold His covetousness for to advance Mark whom I kiss, the same do hold The same is he shall lead the dance.
Chorus: Sing, oh! my love, oh! my love, my love, my love This have I done for my true love.

Before Pilate the Jews me brought Where Barabbas had deliverance They scourged me and set me at nought Judged me to die to lead the dance.
Chorus: Sing, oh! my love, oh! my love, my love, my love This have I done for my true love.

Then on the cross hanged I was Where a spear my heart did glance There issued forth both water and blood To call my true love to my dance.
Chorus: Sing, oh! my love, oh! my love, my love, my love This have I done for my true love.

Then down to hell I took my way For my true love's deliverance And rose again on the third day Up to my true love and the dance.
Chorus: Sing, oh! my love, oh! my love, my love, my love This have I done for my true love.

Then up to heaven I did ascend Where now I dwell in sure substance On the right hand of God, that man May come unto the general dance.
Chorus: Sing, oh! my love, oh! my love, my love, my love This have I done for my true love.

A Northern Carol - Koppångeçen

Dear Moraeus Gang,

I had not heard this beautiful Swedish "carol" until this year. The Christmas Album by Anne Sofie von Otter says that it was composed by Pereric Moraeus. Then I found this beautiful rendition by Anne Moraeus on YouTube. Are you related? Whether or not, you two have wonderful synchronicity.

Koppångeçen
Composed by Pereric Moraeus



There is silence around me in this peaceful winter night.
From the church down in the valley I can see the candlelight.
And I stopped for a moment in this winter paradise,
When I heard a choir singing through the darkness and the ice.

And the rays of lights behind the window's vaulted frames
Have united the souls in hope that something great is waiting.
And I know that those who have left us here had the same thoughts as I,
We're like flames in the darkness and stars up in the sky.

And I see how they sparkle and they fade before my eyes
And the truth is coming closer like a wonder in disguise.
We are caught here for a moment like an imprint of a hand
On an old and frosted window or a footprint in the sand.

For a while I'm eternal - that's the only thing I know,
I am here and we share our dreams about our destination.
It is cold out here, the snow is white but I'm warm deep inside.
I am warm 'cause I know that my faith will be my guide.

---

There are additional beautiful renditions of this piece on YouTube. I loved this one:
Helen Sjöholm

And Anne Sofie von Otter's version of Koppångeçen is a delight in both English and Swedish.

Thank you, and God Jul.

brd

For the Joy of the Advent Season

Dear Readers of Letters and Surveys,

May your advent season be filled with joy and beauty.

Traditional Catalonian Carol: Fum, Fum, Fum

English Translation

On December five and twenty,
Foom, foom, foom!
On December five and twenty,
Foom, foom, foom!
For the love of us is giv'n The holy Infant,
Son of Heav'n,
Of the Virgin, Joseph's bride,
To all the earth good will be tiding,
Foom, foom, foom!

Little birds from out the forest,
Foom, foom, foom!
Little birds from out the forest,
Foom, foom, foom!
All your fledglings leave behind,
And seek the infant Savior kind.
Come, and build a downy nest
To warm the lovely Baby blessed,
Foom, foom, foom!

Little stars up in the heavens,
Foom, foom, foom!
Little stars up in the heavens,
Foom, foom, foom!
If you see the Baby cry,
O, do not answer with a sigh!
Rather, lighten up the sky
With Heav'ns beams of radiant brightness,
Foom, foom, foom!


Spanish

Veintecinco de diciembre,
Fum, fum, fum!
Veinticinco de diciembre,
Fum, fum, fum!
Nacido ha por nuestro amor,
El Nino Dios,
Hoy de la virgen MariaEn
esta noche tan fria,
Fum, fum, fum!

Pajaritos del los bosques,
Fum, fum, fum!
Pajaritos de los bosques,
Fum, fum, fum!
Vuestros hijos de coral
Abandonad, abandonad,
Y formad un muelle nido
A Jesus recien nacido,
Fum, fum, fum!

Estrellitas de los cielos,
Fum, fum, fum!
Estrellitas de los cielos,
Fum, fum, fum!
Que a Jesu mirais llorar
Y no llordis, y no llordis,
Alumbrad la noche ascura
Con vuestra luz clara y pura,
Fum, fum, fum!

Happy Holidays,

BRD

Anna Netrebko: Meine Lippen sie Kussen so heiss

Dear Anna Netrebko,

Well, you have done it, breathtakingly, again.
(My Lips Kiss with Such Fire)

If anyone. . . any singer that is. . . today, could make the world fall in love with opera, it is you. Your energy and verve captures the audience in every way. You have even courted the cameraman.

What I love about this presentation is your joy. I laughed as I watched you jumping up and down at the end. I think that is what everyone in the audience wanted to do too.

Bravo!

Betsy

{Note: Sorry I have been so absent. I plan to pepper the world with letters in the next few days. Plus it is advent! Time for whispered celebration!}