Choral Choir,Choral (SATB) - Level 2 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1298965 Composed by Ian Calvert. 21st Century,A Cappella,Christmas,Contemporary,Holiday. 6 pages. Ian Calvert #888815. Published by Ian Calvert (A0.1298965). This is the first publication of a new Christmas song, set for SATB a cappella and ideal for community or professional choirs. The words are those of a poem by Leonard Clark (1905 – 1981). He was an English poet who was raised in The Forest of Dean, in the west of England. The Forest became his great passion and inspiration; much of his poetry reflects that upbringing and often relates to nature. In 1972 he published a slim little book of Christmas poems, of which ‘The Birth’ is one. What I like about this poem is its simplicity and clarity – and its narrative development through the verses. It starts with the poet waking in the pre-dawn. He then realizes that it is Christmas Day and in the stillness of that time his mind turns to the birth of Jesus, as traditionally told; tenors and basses start this verse. Then he steps out of time and space and looks through his bedroom window to contemplate the mystery of incarnation; sopranos and altos begin this third verse. And he finishes at the stable, offering devotion to the newborn Lord. This song is also available in a version for voice and piano. Drawn from the same book of poems there is available another new Christmas song, called Singing in the Streets; that one is set for baritone and piano. Ian Calvert.
