SKU: A0.776016

This setting for Christmas represents the cold of a Northern winter (the cruel wind blows) although of course the actual events took place in rather warmer climes. It also reflects much of the liturgical and popular symbolism of the Christmas season: robins, holly etc and it brings our thoughts towards the season of Easter with the blood of Good Friday. A robin brought some holly all covered with snow. The cruel wind blows. From each little berry fell drops of blood, Which covered the earth where the Virgin once stood. The cruel wind blows. Dark was the sky when Angels came to stay, They brought old lanterns to lead the way. The cruel wind blows. Candles brightly shine for all to see, They glow tonight through the ageing year. Tender are the lilies as soft as her gown And white are the ringlets that fall to the ground. Mary with her child upon this Winter night, She walked through the darkness with yellow candle light. North winds blow across the fields, But only one child continues to dream. The cruel wind blows The cruel wind blows. ©Tom Clarke Buying this file gives the right to print six copies of the music score.

SKU: A0.1257185

George Eliot's poem is given a rich and powerful setting for choir and organ.

O May I join the choir invisible  
Of those immortal dead who live again  
In minds made better by their presence: live  
In pulses stirr'd to generosity,  
In deeds of daring rectitude, in scorn 
For miserable aims that end with self,  
In thoughts sublime that pierce the night like stars,  
And with their mild persistence urge man's search  
To vaster issues.  
        So to live is heaven:  
To make undying music in the world,  
Breathing as beauteous order that controls  
With growing sway the growing life of man.  
So we inherit that sweet purity  
For which we struggled, fail'd, and agoniz'd 
With widening retrospect that bred despair.  
Rebellious flesh that would not be subdued,  
A vicious parent shaming still its child,  
Poor anxious penitence, is quick dissolv'd;  
Its discords, quench'd by meeting harmonies,   
Die in the large and charitable air.  
And all our rarer, better, truer self,  
That sobb'd religiously in yearning song,  
That watch'd to ease the burthen of the world,  
Laboriously tracing what must be,      
And what may yet be better,—saw within  
A worthier image for the sanctuary,  
And shap'd it forth before the multitude,  
Divinely human, raising worship so  
To higher reverence more mix'd with love,—    
That better self shall live till human Time  
Shall fold its eyelids, and the human sky  
Be gather'd like a scroll within the tomb Unread forever.  
        This is life to come,  
Which martyr'd men have made more glorious       
For us who strive to follow. May I reach  
That purest heaven, be to other souls  
The cup of strength in some great agony,  
Enkindle generous ardor, feed pure love,  
Beget the smiles that have no cruelty,
Be the sweet presence of a good diffus'd,  
And in diffusion ever more intense!  
So shall I join the choir invisible  
Whose music is the gladness of the world.

SKU: A0.611935

An impressive musical celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.  This can be performed during the Advent season or as part of your Christmas celebration.  This is a concertized/ cantata style musical that is scored for Soloists, SATB, Flute, Bb-Trumpet and Piano.  Accessible for all levels of singing and playing and can be used in any church or concert hall.  All instrument parts are included.  Songs:  Hark! A Thrilling Voice / O Come, Emmanuel * O Gentle Lady, Full Of Grace * The Lord Has Done Great Things For Us * Great Saint Joseph, Son Of David * Sweet Babe Of Bethlehem * All In The Silent Night * On Christmas Night * Christmas Morn * God Is Light * Ring The Merry Christmas Bells * O Cruel Herod * Our Father's Work To Do * O Sing A Song Of Bethlehem.  All songs can also be found individually on this site.  .