The first Christmas (Joseph Barnby)

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Part I: The Annunciation

• (Posted 2019-01-06)  CPDL #52830:         

Editor: James Gibb (submitted 2019-01-06).   Score information: A4, 3 pages, 72 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes:

Part II: The message of the Shepherds

• (Posted 2019-01-08)  CPDL #52853:         

Editor: James Gibb (submitted 2019-01-08).   Score information: A4, 4 pages, 100 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Transcribed from the edition on IMSLP.

Part III: Cradle song of the Blessed Virgin

• (Posted 2019-01-10)  CPDL #52870:         

Editor: James Gibb (submitted 2019-01-10).   Score information: A4, 4 pages, 91 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes:

Part IV: Gloria in excelsis

• (Posted 2019-01-11)  CPDL #52877:         

Editor: James Gibb (submitted 2019-01-11).   Score information: A4, 3 pages, 80 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes:

General Information

Title: The first Christmas
Composer: Joseph Barnby
Lyricist: Angela Goetze

Number of voices: 4vv   Voicing: SATB
Genre: Sacred, Anthem

Language: English
Instruments: Organ

First published: 1897 Novello's Octavo Anthems no.448
Description: 

Original text and translations

English text

The Annunciation Mary sat at even In her garden's shade, And the evening sunlight Round about her played. Suddenly from heaven Came an angel fair, To her threshold flying, Halting gently there. Mary, pale and trembling, To the angel said: "What can be thy message To me, Mary, maid?" And the angel answered: "Hearken unto me. Thou that art a maiden, Shalt a mother be! Blessed among women, Thou shalt bear a Son, And the Lord shall give Him Father David's throne." Mary knelt at even Praying to the Lord, Be it to me, Father, According to Thy Word.

The message of the shepherds Beside their flocks the shepherds watched That holy Christmas night, When lo! the angel of the Lord Shone on their dazzled sight. "Fear not," he cried, "of joy and peace Glad tidings do I bring, In Bethlehem a new-born babe, Lies Christ, your heavenly King. And this shall be a guiding sign To you and nations all, The Holy Babe you there shall find, Laid in a humble stall. And suddenly the hosts of heaven Shone on their wondering eyes, And raised a song of holy praise That echoed through the skies. Then marvelled all the shepherds sore, What was this wondrous thing? To Bethlehem they took their way, And there they found their King.

Cradle song of the Blessed Virgin Sleep, my babe, and o'er Thee Angels vigil keep, Silent, they adore Thee, Sleep, my baby, sleep; Jesu, sleep, Thy mother Holds Thee in her arm, May the love she bears Thee Shield Thee safe from harm. Sleep, my babe, still dreaming Of Thy home above, Whence Thou cam'st to save us, By Thy Father's love. Earthly pomp may tempt Thee, Earthly sin assail, But the tempter's legions Shall in terror quail. Thou shalt suffer torment, Thou Thy life shall give, Thou shalt die for sinners, That the sinners live. Jesu. Thou shalt triumph, Glorious Thou shalt rise, Thou shalt come to judge us, Throned in the skies. Sleep, my babe, and o'er Thee Angels vigil keep, Silent, they adore Thee, Sleep, my baby, sleep.

Gloria in excelsis Glory to God in the Highest, Glory to God let us sing, Glory to God in His Heaven, Glory to Jesus, our King. Glory to God in the Highest, Peace on this earth here below; Jesus has come to redeem us, To free us from sin and from woe. As love is the law in the heavens, So love shall be law upon earth, By love shall each man be a free-man, Born anew by the heavenly Birth. Glory to God in the Highest, Glory to God let us sing, Glory to God in His Heaven, Glory to Jesus, our King.