Description
Published by Morningstar Music Publishers as a part of their National Lutheran Choir Series.
This work was commissioned by True Concord Voices and Orchestra. A luscious setting of a Sara Teasdale Christmas poem that works equally well with either piano or harp accompaniment.
Text
The kings they came from out the south,
All dressed in ermine fine,
They bore Him gold and chrysoprase,
And gift of precious wine.
The shepherds came from out the north,
Their coats were brown and old,
They brought Him little new-born lambs —
They had not any gold.
The wise-men came from out the east,
And they were wrapped in white;
The star that led them all the way
Did glorify the night.
The angels came from heaven high,
And they were clad with wings;
And lo, they brought a joyful song
The host of heaven sings.
The kings they knocked upon the door,
The wise-men entered in,
The shepherds followed after them
To hear the song begin.
And Mary held the little child
And sat upon the ground;
She looked up, she looked down,
She looked all around.
The angels sang thro’ all the night
Until the rising sun,
But little Jesus fell asleep
Before the song was done.
~ Sara Teasdale (1884-1933)