This edition was prepared by Douglas Walczak — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Christmas Day
Staff Notation • Sacred, Christmas
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Christmas Day by Gustav Holst — Lyrics
Good Christian men, rejoice with heart, and soul, and voice;
Give ye heed to what we say:
News! News! Jesus Christ is born today:
Ox and ass before him bow,
And he is in the manger now.
Christ is born today! [repeat]
God rest you merry, gentlemen,
Let nothing you dismay,
Remember Christ our Saviour was born on Christmas day,
To save us all from woe and sin,
When we were gone astray.
O tidings of comfort and joy.
In Bethlehem, in Jewry,
This blessed babe was born,
And laid within a manger,
Upon that holy morn;
The which His Mother, Mary,
Did nothing take in scorn.
O tidings of comfort and joy.
Good Christian men, rejoice, with heart, and soul, and voice;
Now ye hear of endless bliss:
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About Christmas Day
Gustav Holst’s Christmas Day for SATB choir is a richly harmonised setting of familiar English Christmas texts. The music opens with a sense of jubilant proclamation before developing through contrasting sections that reflect the varied moods of the lyrics. Holst weaves together the traditional carols "Good Christian Men, Rejoice" and "God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen" with the "In Bethlehem" carol, creating a vibrant and celebratory anthem. The interplay between the voices builds to a powerful and joyful conclusion, perfectly capturing the spirit of Christmas.
