The Villagers of Châtres
from Midwinter Revels by GreenMatthews
-
Streaming + DownloadIncludes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.Purchasable with gift card
£1 GBP
-
Buy the Full Digital Album
-
Compact Disc (CD) + Digital AlbumComes in gatefold digisleeve with artwork by Frank Doran
Includes unlimited streaming of Midwinter Revels via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.ships out within 1 day£12 GBP or more
-
-
Full Digital Discography
Get all 13 GreenMatthews releases available on Bandcamp and save 25%.
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Songs of the Sea, Festive Favourites, The Wind in the Willows, Virtual Wassail, Midwinter Revels, Roots&Branches, Come Again! Sweet Love Doth Now Invite (live), A Christmas Carol: A Folk Opera, and 5 more.
Purchasable with gift card£63 GBP (25% OFF)
about
Chris’ translation of the traditional French carol Les Bourgeois de Châtres, which we learned from possibly our favourite festive album ever - the magical Noël Baroque by Les Musiciens de Saint-Julien. It transplants the Nativity story from 1st-century Palestine to rural 17th-century France - there are shepherds with bagpipes and shawms, a village band with drums and trumpets and a priest who arrives with wine for everyone! Sophie plays baroque oboe on this track which is rather special as it's the only instrument she plays that she made herself.
lyrics
The villagers of Châtres and those of Montlery
Upon this glorious night rejoiced and danced with glee
For Jesus Christ was born as told in song and fable
And in a manger then was laid
Between the ox and ass where they
Stood in a lowly stable
The angels to the fields came in a shining throng
And to the shepherds told glad tidings with their song
That in a byre mean the Son of God was lying
The offspring of a virgin's womb
Who from above to Earth had come
To save all men from dying
They left their flocks and took their bagpipes and their shawms
To where the angels said the Son of God was born
And lustily they sang and played a merry bourrée
Upon their way across the moor until at last they stood before
The manger where the child lay
And from the hamlet of St-Germain close nearby
There came the village band across the countryside
And as they came upon the stable and the manger
They joined the shepherds' pipes and shawms
with drums and trumpet fifes and horns
To hail the holy stranger
And then came Father John, the vicar of Églis
Who brought a cask of wine to make us all merry
and with him came his schoolboys, who in heavenly chorus
Sang out a hymn of welcome to Jesus Christ the new-born King
Born on this blest night for us
Upon this glorious night rejoiced and danced with glee
For Jesus Christ was born as told in song and fable
And in a manger then was laid
Between the ox and ass where they
Stood in a lowly stable
The angels to the fields came in a shining throng
And to the shepherds told glad tidings with their song
That in a byre mean the Son of God was lying
The offspring of a virgin's womb
Who from above to Earth had come
To save all men from dying
They left their flocks and took their bagpipes and their shawms
To where the angels said the Son of God was born
And lustily they sang and played a merry bourrée
Upon their way across the moor until at last they stood before
The manger where the child lay
And from the hamlet of St-Germain close nearby
There came the village band across the countryside
And as they came upon the stable and the manger
They joined the shepherds' pipes and shawms
with drums and trumpet fifes and horns
To hail the holy stranger
And then came Father John, the vicar of Églis
Who brought a cask of wine to make us all merry
and with him came his schoolboys, who in heavenly chorus
Sang out a hymn of welcome to Jesus Christ the new-born King
Born on this blest night for us
credits
from Midwinter Revels,
released November 30, 2020
Music trad. Lyrics translated from French and made to rhyme by Chris.
Sophie: voice, baroque oboe, recorder
Chris: voice, mandocello, guitar
Music trad. Lyrics translated from French and made to rhyme by Chris.
Sophie: voice, baroque oboe, recorder
Chris: voice, mandocello, guitar
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
-
Jun 19Hoddesdon, UK
discography
-
Jul 2023 -
Dec 2022 -
Jun 2021 -
Dec 2020
contact / help
If you like GreenMatthews, you may also like:
-
supported by 12 fans who also own “The Villagers of Châtres”
Because I couldn't decide what my favourite track was. It's a beautiful album and every track could be my favourite. However, I am a soppy git so I chose stowaway. Thank you Jon and keep up the good work.
go to album -
supported by 12 fans who also own “The Villagers of Châtres”
Dear Sam Sweeney, thank you for your hauntingly beautiful music. Please make this collection an 'LP' soon, Kind regards, BSuhr
go to album -
supported by 12 fans who also own “The Villagers of Châtres”
Just heard a track from this with you and the amazing Jenn Butterworth being played on R3 by Kathryn Tickell, felt literally 100% happier by the end of it than before - had to buy the album immediately!
go to album -
Ship To Shore
by Richard ThompsonThe legendary Richard Thompson's new solo album exemplifies his many musical paths, from pop and cabaret to jazz to traditional folk.
go to album -
Endurance Soundly Caged
by Stick In The WheelAdapting their calculated standards into a raw, live setting, the radical UK folk duo rework six highlights from their spellbindincatalogue.
go to album -
Wintres Woma
by James ElkingtonOne of Chicago’s most versatile musicians breathes new life into beloved British folk traditions.
go to album -
Needle Pin, Needle Pin
by Jackie Oates and John Spierssupported by 12 fans who also own “The Villagers of Châtres”
superb! a great pairing and some beautiful music. thank you!
go to album
