Listen to the MIDI file whilst browsing the music? (MIDI player for Internet Explorer and Netscape, try select for other browsers) Download the sheet music and related midi file in "zipped" format (32Kb)? I came across these lyrics (also known as “Carol of the Outcast”) as a poem printed in the Methodist Recorder way back in 1969, and was immediately captivated by them. I saw a beautiful mix of traditional imagery and contemporary meditation that cried out for music. I never managed to meet Dr Lewis, a Moravian minister, but was delighted when he gave his permission for me to set his lyrics to music. The result was quickly published in the then popular booklet “Faith, Folk & Festivity” by Stainer & Bell Ltd (and a few times subsequently) and recorded by Reflection on the 1971 LP, “Nativity”. However, like many excellent lyrics from that period they are now largely forgotten. I don’t think they should be! Apart from the MIDI, there is an MP3 file (2.5Mb) of the original “Nativity” solo recording that can be downloaded by clicking here, and of a live recording from a church presentation (with choir as well) by clicking here Lyrics (by Dr. A.J Lewis) Chorus: Sing high with the holly and low with the berry. All will be gathered around my green tree. V1: Where have they hidden you, Child of the manger, Child of my childhood and seal of my soul? They have carved me in stone, O child of my passion, bound me in dogma and trammelled my will. They have wrapped me in tinsel and sold me at counters, tuning my song to the ring of their till. V2: Where can I find you, O child of the manger, Child of my childhood and seal of my soul.? You can find me as ever with blind and with beggar, the lame and the prisoner, the broken in heart. But finding’s not keeping, and keeping’s not following. Follow me home to the end of my road. At home with the homeless I dine with the outcast; and if you receive them then there shall I be. Final chorus: Sing high with the holly and low with the berry. All will be gathered around my green tree. The words and music of this are copyright 1969 to Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England and may only be reproduced under the terms of the Churches Copyright Licence. Reflection Home Page Back to List of Music
I came across these lyrics (also known as “Carol of the Outcast”) as a poem printed in the Methodist Recorder way back in 1969, and was immediately captivated by them. I saw a beautiful mix of traditional imagery and contemporary meditation that cried out for music.
I never managed to meet Dr Lewis, a Moravian minister, but was delighted when he gave his permission for me to set his lyrics to music. The result was quickly published in the then popular booklet “Faith, Folk & Festivity” by Stainer & Bell Ltd (and a few times subsequently) and recorded by Reflection on the 1971 LP, “Nativity”. However, like many excellent lyrics from that period they are now largely forgotten. I don’t think they should be!
Apart from the MIDI, there is an MP3 file (2.5Mb) of the original “Nativity” solo recording that can be downloaded by clicking here, and of a live recording from a church presentation (with choir as well) by clicking here
Chorus: Sing high with the holly and low with the berry. All will be gathered around my green tree.
V1: Where have they hidden you, Child of the manger, Child of my childhood and seal of my soul?
They have carved me in stone, O child of my passion, bound me in dogma and trammelled my will. They have wrapped me in tinsel and sold me at counters, tuning my song to the ring of their till.
V2: Where can I find you, O child of the manger, Child of my childhood and seal of my soul.?
You can find me as ever with blind and with beggar, the lame and the prisoner, the broken in heart. But finding’s not keeping, and keeping’s not following. Follow me home to the end of my road.
At home with the homeless I dine with the outcast; and if you receive them then there shall I be.
Final chorus: Sing high with the holly and low with the berry. All will be gathered around my green tree.
The words and music of this are copyright 1969 to Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England and may only be reproduced under the terms of the Churches Copyright Licence.