Sweet baby, sleep; what ails my dear? What ails my darling thus to cry? Be still, my child, and lend thine ear To hear me sing thy lullaby. My pretty lamb, forbear to weep; Be still, my dear; sweet baby, sleep.
Whilst thus thy lullaby I sing, For thee great blessings ripening be; Thine eldest brother is a king, And hath a kingdom bought for thee. Sweet baby, then, forebear to weep, Be still, my dear; sweet baby, sleep.
The King of kings when he was born, Had not so much for outward ease; By him such dressings were not worn, Nor suchlike swaddling-clothes as these. Sweet baby, then, forbear to weep; Be still, my dear; sweet baby, sleep.
George Wither (1588-1667)
If you would like to perform this piece, please get in touch via the Contact page. I am happy to send perusal scores if interest is expressed.
Recorded virtually by Alex Scott and Esther Bersweden, 2020. Piano: Alex Scott
The angel Gabriel from heaven came, his wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame; ‘All hail,’ said he, ‘thou lowly maiden Mary, most highly favoured lady,’ Gloria!
‘For know a blessed Mother thou shalt be, all generations laud and honour thee, thy Son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold, most highly favoured lady,’ Gloria!
Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head, ‘To me be as it pleaseth God,’ she said, ‘my soul shall laud and magnify his holy Name.’ Most highly favoured lady, Gloria!
Of her, Emmanuel, the Christ, was born in Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn, and Christian folk throughout the world will ever say – Most highly favoured lady, Gloria!
Sabine Baring-Gould (1834-1924)
RSCM Carols for Sopranos, Altos and Unison Lower Voices
Published by RSCM in September 2020, this anthology contains Esther’s setting of The Angel Gabriel.
Commissioned by David Ogden and the City of Bristol Choir, in memory of Pamela Pepler
O magnum mysterium Et admirabile sacramentum Ut animalia viderent Dominum natum Jacentem in praesepio! Beata Virgo, cujus viscera Meruerunt portare Dominum Christum Alleluia
O great mystery, and wonderful sacrament, that animals should see the newborn Lord, lying in a manger! Blessed is the virgin whose womb was worthy to bear the Lord, Jesus Christ. Alleluia!
Matin Responsory for Christmas Day
O Magnum Mysterium
This piece was published by Encore Publications in 2023.
Performed by Avon Chamber Choir, directed by Esther Bersweden, 2023
O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light; the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
For Christ is born of Mary; and, gathered all above, while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wond’ring love. O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth, and praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth.
How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is giv’n! So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His heav’n. No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in.
O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray; cast out our sin and enter in; be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels, the great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!
Phillips Brooks (1835-93)
If you would like to perform this piece, please get in touch via the Contact page. I am happy to send perusal scores if interest is expressed.
Performed by Bristol University Singers, directed by David Bednall, 2017. Soloist: Emma Huggett
In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan, Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone; Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow, In the bleak midwinter, long ago.
Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him, nor earth sustain; Heaven and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign. In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.
Enough for Him, whom cherubim, worship night and day, Breastful of milk, and a mangerful of hay; Enough for Him, whom angels fall before, The ox and ass and camel which adore.
Angels and archangels may have gathered there, Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air; But His mother only, in her maiden bliss, Worshipped the beloved with a kiss.
What can I give Him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part; Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.
Christina Rossetti (1830—1894)
If you would like to perform this piece, please get in touch via the Contact page. I am happy to send perusal scores if interest is expressed.
