The Sans Day Carol
from Festive Favourites by GreenMatthews
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Buy the Full Digital Album
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Compact Disc (CD) + Digital AlbumA compilation of our favourite tracks from our first three albums A Victorian Christmas, A Medieval Christmas A Brief History of Christmas.
Includes unlimited streaming of Festive Favourites via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.ships out within 1 day£12 GBP or more
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Full Digital Discography
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about
A Cornish carol from the 19th century, this was first transcribed by Ralph Vaughan-Williams from the singing of an old man who lived in the village of St Day (hence the name) and bears a strong resemblance to The Holly and the Ivy. Our setting is in 3/2 time signature and so we finish with Clark’s Hornpipe, a triple-time dance tune from the 18th century.
lyrics
Now the holly bears a berry as white as the milk,
And Mary bore Jesus, all wrapped up in silk,
And Mary bore Jesus Christ our Saviour for to be,
And the first tree in the greenwood, it was the holly.
Holly! Holly!
And the first tree in the greenwood, it was the holly!
Now the holly bears a berry as green as the grass,
And Mary bore Jesus, who died on the cross,
And Mary bore Jesus Christ our Saviour for to be,
And the first tree in the greenwood, it was the holly.
Holly! Holly!
And the first tree in the greenwood, it was the holly!
Now the holly bears a berry as black as the coal,
And Mary bore Jesus, who died for us all,
And Mary bore Jesus Christ our Saviour for to be,
And the first tree in the greenwood, it was the holly.
Holly! Holly!
And the first tree in the greenwood, it was the holly!
Now the holly bears a berry as blood is it red,
And Mary bore Jesus who rose from the dead,
And Mary bore Jesus Christ our Saviour for to be,
And the first tree in the greenwood, it was the holly.
Holly! Holly!
And the first tree in the greenwood, it was the holly!
And Mary bore Jesus, all wrapped up in silk,
And Mary bore Jesus Christ our Saviour for to be,
And the first tree in the greenwood, it was the holly.
Holly! Holly!
And the first tree in the greenwood, it was the holly!
Now the holly bears a berry as green as the grass,
And Mary bore Jesus, who died on the cross,
And Mary bore Jesus Christ our Saviour for to be,
And the first tree in the greenwood, it was the holly.
Holly! Holly!
And the first tree in the greenwood, it was the holly!
Now the holly bears a berry as black as the coal,
And Mary bore Jesus, who died for us all,
And Mary bore Jesus Christ our Saviour for to be,
And the first tree in the greenwood, it was the holly.
Holly! Holly!
And the first tree in the greenwood, it was the holly!
Now the holly bears a berry as blood is it red,
And Mary bore Jesus who rose from the dead,
And Mary bore Jesus Christ our Saviour for to be,
And the first tree in the greenwood, it was the holly.
Holly! Holly!
And the first tree in the greenwood, it was the holly!
credits
from Festive Favourites,
released December 15, 2022
Sophie Matthews: voice, flute
Chris Green: voice, mandocello, bass guitar, piano, piano accordion Jude Rees: voice, oboe
Sophie Matthews: voice, flute
Chris Green: voice, mandocello, bass guitar, piano, piano accordion Jude Rees: voice, oboe
license
all rights reserved
tags
about
GreenMatthews Coventry, UK
Chris Green and Sophie Matthews play English traditional songs and tunes in a thoroughly 21st-century kick-ass style. Using a blend of ancient instruments such as cittern, English bagpipes and shawm as well as modern folk instruments such as guitar, flute and piano accordion, they breathe new life into material from hundreds of years ago, making it fresh and relevant for a modern audience. ... more
shows
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Jun 19Hoddesdon, UK
discography
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Jul 2023 -
Dec 2022 -
Jun 2021 -
Dec 2020
contact / help
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