Lyr Req: Carol of the Birds

Subject: Anyone know 'the carol of the birds'?
From:
Date: 23 Apr 99 - 03:02 PM

Hi! There's a Christmas carol I really love, but I have never been able to find the lyrics to it, or any history about it. I heard it on a Joan Baez Christmas album. The first line goes something like this:

When rose the eastern star The birds came from afar

But I can't reliably remember the rest of it. It's all about all the different birds, like the sparrow and eagle, and the various songs they sing to celebrate the nativity.

Anybody know this song, and know anything about it, like who wrote it and what the rest of the lyrics are?

thanks!

--js

Subject: Lyr Add: CAROL OF THE BIRDS
From: MMario
Date: 23 Apr 99 - 03:28 PM

so it's NOT the one in the DT... here

but if THESE are the words:

CAROL OF THE BIRDS

Upon this holy night,
When God's great star appears,
And floods the earth with brightness
Birds' voices rise in song
And warbling all night long
Express their glad heart's lightness
Birds' voices rise in song
And warbling all night long
Express their glad heart's lightness
The Nightingale is first
To bring his song of cheer,
And tell us of His glad - ness:
Jesus, our Lord, is born
To free us from all sin
And banish ev'ry sadness!
Jesus, our Lord is born
To free us from all sin
And banish ev'ry sadness!
The answ'ring Sparrow cries:
"God comes to earth this day
Amid the angels flying."
Trilling in sweetest tones,
The Finch his Lord now owns:
"To Him be all thanksgiving."
Trilling in sweetest tones,
The Finch his Lord now owns:
"To Him be all thanksgiving."
The Partridge adds his note:
"To Bethlehem I'll fly,
Where in the stall He's lying.
There, near the manger blest,
I'll build myself a nest,
And sing my love undying.
There, near the manger blest,
I'll build myself a nest,
And sing my love undying.
then it is available:

here!

MMario
^^

Subject: RE: Anyone know 'the carol of the birds'?
From:
Date: 23 Apr 99 - 04:11 PM

No, I don't think it is either of those songs, but that one you quote is nice.

The only place I have ever heard or seen the song I'm looking for was on a Christmas album that Joan Baez did -- I think it came out in the mid or late '60's. It has kind of a sad and pensive tune.

I guess I'll just have to find it to listen to and try to transcribe the words myself... I was just hoping to get some background on the song.

thanks!

--js

Subject: RE: Anyone know 'the carol of the birds'?
From:
Date: 23 Apr 99 - 07:10 PM

The album you're referring to is called Noel. Apparently it is out on CD, as of 1997 anyway. Here's a message from the Archives of the Harp List covering it.
Harp List December 1997

I have only seen the words you've already seen above. They're found at http://www.osmond.net/chill/christmas/carols/carol-birds.htm

Subject: RE: Anyone know 'the carol of the birds'?
From: Ferrara
Date: 23 Apr 99 - 08:35 PM

There is a Carol of the Birds that starts, "Whence comes this rush of wings afar, Following straight the Noel star? Bird of the woods in wondrous flight Bethlehem seek this holy night." "Tell us, ye birds, Why come ye here? Into this stable, poor and drear? Hastening we seek the new-born king, And all our sweetest music bring." Then I think there's a verse about various birds, perhaps not. The word "philomel" (nightingale?) comes to mind. May be spurious. Last verse is "Angels and shepherds, birds of the sky Come where the Son of God doth lie. Christ on Earth with man doth dwell, Join in the shout, Noel! Noel!"

It doesn't sound as if this is the one you wanted, but thought I'd try. - Rita F

Subject: RE: Anyone know 'the carol of the birds'?
From: rich r
Date: 23 Apr 99 - 09:48 PM

The Carol of the Birds (El Cant dels Ocells) is a traditional Catalonian Christmas carol. Since it did not originate as a song in English, any English version is a translation. I have found one translation of the song that I could type in if you are interested. However, it is not the same as the Baez "Noel" text. I thought I had both somewhere, but so far have only found the Baez record which I will transcribe if no one comes up with it from another source.

rich r

Subject: Lyr Add: CAROL OF THE BIRDS (EL CANT DELS OCELLS)
From: rich r
Date: 24 Apr 99 - 12:05 AM

CAROL OF THE BIRDS (El Cant dels Ocells) trad. Catalonia

Upon this holy night,
When God's great star appears,
And floods the earth with brightness,
Birds' voices rise in song,
And warbling all night long,
Express their glad hearts' lightness.
Birds' voices ries in song,
And, warbling all night long,
Express their glad heart's lightness.

The Nightingale is first
To bring his song of cheer,
And tell us of his gladness:
"Jesus, our Lord is born
To free us from all sin,
And banish ev'ry sadness!
"Jesus, our Lord is born
To free us from all sin,
And banish ev'ry sadness!"

The answ'ring Sparrow cries:
"God comes to earth this day
Amid the angels flying."
Trilling in sweetest tones,
The Finch his Lord now owns:
"To Him be all Thanksgiving."
Trilling in sweetest tones,
The Finch his Lord now owns:
"To Him be all Thanksgiving."

The Partridge adds his note:
"To Bethlehem I'll fly,
Where in the stall He's lying.
There, near the manger blest,
I'll build myself a nest,
And sing my love undying.
There, near the manger blest,
I'll build myself a nest,
And sing my love undying.

Here is another "Carol of the Birds", this one old English. Elements of the melody were used by Gilbert & Sullivan for "Titwillow"

From out of the wood did a cuckoo fly, "Cuckoo."
He came to the manger with joyful cry. "Cuckoo."
He hopped, he curtsied, 'round he flew
And loud his jubilation grew.
"Cuckoo, cuckoo, cuckoo"

A pigeon flew over to Galilee. "Vrercroo."
He strutted and cooed and was filled with glee. "Vrercroo."
And showed with jeweled wings unfurled
His joy that Christ was in the world.
"Vrercroo, vrercroo, vrercroo."

A dove settled down upon Nazareth. "Tsucroo."
And tenderly chanted with all his breath. "Tsucroo"
"Oh You," he cooed, "so good and true,
My beauty do I give to you.
Tsucroo, tsucroo, tscroo."

A third carol that prominantly features birds is the French carol "Whence Comes This Rush Of Wings Afar? (Noel des Ausels)"

rich r

Subject: Lyr Add: THE CAROL OF THE BIRDS (from Joan Baez)
From:
Date: 25 Apr 99 - 06:48 PM

Here's a transcription I did today of the song from the 1966 Joan Baez record "Noel"...

I could not figure out all the words; if anybody with sharper hearing can figure out what words go in the gaps, that would be great!

I guess this is a different translation of the traditional Catalan carol transcribed above -- it does say "Catalan" on the liner notes.

THE CAROL OF THE BIRDS
----------------------

When rose the Eastern Star
The birds came from afar
In ?? of a glory

With one melodious voice
They sweetly did rejoice
And sang the wondrous story

Sang, praising God on high
? crowned above the sky
And his fair mother, Mary

The Eagle left his lair
Came winging through the air
His message loud arising

And to his joyous cry
The Sparrow made reply
His answer sweetly voicing

'For, come nor death and strife,
This night is born new life'
The Robin sang, rejoicing

When rose the Eastern Star
The birds came from afar....

Subject: RE: Anyone know 'the carol of the birds'?
From:
Date: 25 Apr 99 - 06:51 PM

How do you get your lines to appear properly broken in these forum messages? I hit "enter" at the end of each line of each stanza above, but when I submitted my message, the stanzas got all stretched out into single lines! grrr!

oh well!

--js

Subject: RE: Anyone know 'the carol of the birds'?
From: Bill D
Date: 25 Apr 99 - 07:36 PM

jenithea...the secret is to type [br] only with <&> instead of [&] whenever you want a new line...there are lots more tricks in HTML, but thta is the main one you need to know in here...you can make the lines look like you want them...then but the [br] at the end of each live..(except the last...which doesn't need it..)

Subject: Lyr Add: THE CAROL OF THE BIRDS (from Joan Baez)
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 26 Apr 99 - 10:22 AM

OK, now that April vacation is over I have am back at school where I knew there was a copy of Joan Baez's songbook, "Noel". Here are the words:

THE CAROL OF THE BIRDS
----------------------

When rose the Eastern Star
The birds came from afar
In that full night of glory
With one melodious voice
They sweetly did rejoice
And sang the wondrous story
Sang, praising God on high
Enthroned above the sky
And his fair mother, Mary.

The eagle left his lair
Came winging through the air
His message loud arising
And to his joyous cry
The sparrow made reply
His answer sweetly voicing
"O'ercome are death and strife,
This night is born New Life"
The Robin sang, rejoicing.

When rose the Eastern Star
The birds came from afar....

I'm sure the book is out of print, but it was originally published by Ryerson Music Publishers, Inc. 1967. You may be able to find it in a used book search.

Allison

Subject: Tune/Lyr Req: Carol of the birds (Catalonian??)
From: Genie
Date: 06 Dec 02 - 06:17 PM

Here are the verses that Ferrara posted, with line breaks added:

Carol Of The Birds

There is a Carol of the Birds that starts:

"Whence comes this rush of wings afar,
Following straight the Noel star?
Bird of the woods in wondrous flight
Bethlehem seek this holy night."

"Tell us, ye birds, Why come ye here?
Into this stable, poor and drear?
Hast'ning we seek the new-born king,
And all our sweetest music bring."

Then she says she thinks there's "a verse about various birds, perhaps not. The word "philomel" (nightingale?) comes to mind. May be spurious."

Last verse is "Angels and shepherds, birds of the sky
Come where the Son of God doth lie.
Christ on Earth with man doth dwell,
Join in the shout, Noel! Noel!"
 

I'd like to find the full text of this song, including the original non-English lyrics.  I can't recall at the moment what country it is from.
A MIDI would be lovely, too.

Anybody know it?

Genie

Subject: RE: Anyone know 'the carol of the birds'?
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 06 Dec 02 - 09:20 PM

Genie, are you talking about the French Carol I linked to here? "Whence Comes This Rush of Wings" (I saw one reference which called it "Carol of the Birds")

Subject: RE: Anyone know 'the carol of the birds'?
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 06 Dec 02 - 09:36 PM

Here is a link with a fourth verse that includes philomel. (I once had a nun piano teacher who took the name Philomena, nightingale.)

Subject: Carol OfThe Birds/Whence Comes This Rush of Wings?
From: Genie
Date: 07 Dec 02 - 12:52 AM

Thanks, Mary. This is the bird carol that I was looking for. I'd love to have the French lyrics, too.

Genie

Subject: Lyr Add: WHENCE COMES THIS RUSH OF WINGS?
From: Genie
Date: 07 Dec 02 - 01:06 AM

MIDI here

Here's the full text in English. Still need the French.

WHENCE COMES THIS RUSH OF WINGS?
                              (Carol Of The Birds)
                             (French carol from Bas-Quercy)

                             Whence comes this rush of wings afar,
                             Following straight the NoÎl star?
                             Birds from the woods, in wondrous flight,
                             Bethlehem seek this Holy Night.

                             "Tell us, ye birds, why come ye here,
                             Into this stable, poor and drear?"
                             "Hast'ning, we seek the new-born King,
                             And all our sweetest music bring."

                             Hark! how the greenfinch bears his part.
                             Philomel, too, with tender heart,
                             Chants from her leafy dark retreat,
                             Re, mi, fa, sol, in accents sweet.

                             Angels and shepherds, birds of the sky,
                             Come where the Son of God doth lie;
                             Christ on earth with man doth dwell,
                             Join in the shout, "Noël, Noël!"

Subject: Lyr Add: VOICI L'ETOILE DE NOEL
From: Gloredhel
Date: 07 Dec 02 - 01:56 AM

I couldn't find anything online, but a book I have has French lyrics to three of the verses of "Whence Comes This Rush of Wings":
(sorry I don't know how to do accents)

VOICI L'ETOILE DE NOEL

Voici l'etoile de Noel
Quel est ce bruit sur la maison?
Cest une troupe d'oiselets,
A Bethlehem vont deux a deux.

Dans l'etable ou le Roi du ceil
Dort entre l'ane et le boef brun,
Pourquoi venez-vous donc, oiseaux?
"Nous venons pour adorer Dieu!"

Pour honorer le fis de Dieu
Venez en grande devotion,
Anges, berges, oiseaux du ceil,
Chantez Noel! Chantez Noel!

Subject: Lyr Add: VOICI L'ÉTOILE DE NOËL
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Dec 02 - 10:24 AM

Merci, Gloredhel!

Here are the lyrics with a couple of typos corrected and diacritical marks added (which I hope come out OK).
Genie

 VOICI L'ÉTOILE DE NOËL

 Voici l'étoile de Noël!
 Quel est ce bruit sur la maison?
 C'est une troupe d'oiselets,
 À Bethlehem vont deux a deux.

 Dans l'etable òu le Roi Du Ceil
 Dort entre l'ane et le boeuf brun,
 Pourquoi venez-vous donc, oiseaux?
 "Nous venons pour adorer Dieu!"

 Pour honorer le Fils De Dieu,
 Venez en grande dévotion,
 Anges, berges, oiseaux du ceil,
 Chantez Noël!   Chantez Noël!

Translation:
Here is the Christmas star!
What is this noise on the house?
It's a flock of little birds
Going to Bethlehem two by two.

Into the stable where the King of Heaven
Sleeps between the donkey and the brown ox,
Why do you come, then, birds?
"We come to worship God!"

To honor the Son of God.
Come with great devotion,
Angels, villagers, birds of the sky!
Sing Noël!  Sing Noël!

Subject: Carol of The Birds (Voici L'ƒtoile De No'l)
From: Genie
Date: 07 Dec 02 - 12:32 PM

Sorry, there should be a grave accent over the "a" in "deux a deux." 
("deux  à deux)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: carol of the birds
From: ciarili
Date: 07 Dec 02 - 01:46 PM

Has anyone got the original Catalonian verses?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: carol of the birds
From: Genie
Date: 07 Dec 02 - 04:21 PM

The Catalonian one is the one that starts "When rose the eastern star...," right?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: carol of the birds
From: ciarili
Date: 07 Dec 02 - 09:03 PM

Don't know, but I meant the original word in Spanish!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: carol of the birds
From: Haruo
Date: 07 Dec 02 - 09:21 PM

Them's potentially fightin' words, ciarili. Catalonian words to songs are usually in Catalàn, the language of Catalonia, while "Spanish" usually refers to Castellano, the language of Castile. Catalàn tends to have more words ending in consonants, more ll's, etc. The most famous Catalàn carol, I think, is the one beginning "Lo [or El] desembre congelat". (I've always thought the "El" was a Castilian corruption.) The Franco government spent a lot of taxpayers' money trying to force the Catalonians to stop speaking Catalàn, even moving Castilian-speakers in en masse à la Communist Tibet, but it didn't work. They still speak Catalàn, more now than twenty years ago.

Haruo

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: carol of the birds
From: Genie
Date: 07 Dec 02 - 09:23 PM

Seems like we have three different carols called "The Carol Of The Birds."
The French one "Whence comes this rush of wings?/"Voici l'Žtoile de No'l"is not in the DT.
The "When rose the easter star..." (Catalonian) is,
as well as
"Upon this holy night.." one is, too.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: carol of the birds
From: TIA
Date: 07 Dec 02 - 11:11 PM

I always thought the Carol of the Birds that starts:

"from out of the wood a cuckoo did fly, cuck-oo..."

was Czech!?!? (see full lyrics above in rich_r post from April '99)
Perhaps the words are English and the tune I know Czech?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: carol of the birds
From: ciarili
Date: 08 Dec 02 - 02:49 PM

Actually, someone I knew in college spoke Catalàn. I just didn't want to confuse anyone. When deciding what to write I figured that all the dialects are "Spanish", just not all Castillian. Don't the Andalusians speak a different dialect as well?

I used to listen to my aforementioned friend talk on the telephone and started to catch on to the language a teensy bit. She got a big grin whenever I'd use a phrase on her that she didn't know I'd picked up! I forgot all of it, as it was only a brief period of time and I've worked on racetracks and horse farms with Latin American Spanish speakers. Drove the Italian right outta my head too!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: carol of the birds
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Dec 03 - 08:16 PM

Thank you! I was looking for a long time online for the version of "Carol of the Birds" that started "When rose the eastern star"...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: carol of the birds
From:
Date: 02 Oct 05 - 11:01 PM

Lots of people looking for this, interesting. I've also been looking for a translation, but it's none of the ones mentioned above. It's the Catalan Carol of the Birds, but a translation I learned in a choir about 15 years ago.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Carol of the Birds (from Joan Baez)
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 27 Oct 05 - 01:33 AM

Does anyone have the Catalan lyrics?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Carol of the Birds (from Joan Baez)
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 27 Oct 05 - 04:43 PM

A translation of El Cant Dels Ocells, Carol of the Birds,at Carol of the Birds

The original Catalan here: El Cant Dels Ocells

The English translations depart somewhat from the Catalan.

Hear midi here: El Cant

Subject: Lyr. Add: EL CANT DELS OCELLS
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 27 Oct 05 - 05:30 PM

Lyr. Add: EL CANT DELS OCELLS
Trad. Catalan carol
arr. for choir by Lluís Millet I Pagès

En veure despuntar
El major illuminar
En la nit mes joiosa;
Els ocellettes cantant a festejario van,
Amb sa veu melindrosa,
Els a celletes cantant
A festejario van
Amb sa veu melindrosa.

L'ocell rei d'espai
Va pels aires volant,
Cantant amb melodia,
Dient: Jesus es nat
Per treure'ns del pacat
I darnos alegria.
Dient: Jesus es nat
Per treure'ns del pacat
I darnos alegria.

Resspont-il el pardal:
Esta nit es Nadal
I es nit de gran contento
El verdum i el lluer
Diuen, cantant tambe:
O, quina alegria sento.
El verdum i el lluer
Diuen, cantant tambe:
O, quina alegria sento.

Cantava la perdiu:
Me'n vaiq a fer el niu
Dins d'aguella establiam
Per voure l'Infant
Com esta tremolant
En bracos de Maria.
Per voure lL'Infant
En bracos de Maria.

El Cant dels Ocells
Diacritical marks lacking, but the best I could find. Recordings by José Carreras and others.
The translation given by MMario at the head of this thread is the one usually seen, but it is not accurate.

Subject: The Carol of the Birds (from Joan Baez)
From: GUEST,Elk
Date: 26 Dec 05 - 11:16 AM

When rose the eastern star, the birds came from a-far,
in that full might of glory.
With one melodious voice they sweetly did rejoice
and sang the wonderous story,
sang, praising God on high, enthroned above the sky,
and his fair mother Mary.

The eagle left his lair, came winging through the air,
his message loud arising.
And to his jouyous cry the sparrow made reply,
his answer sweetly voicing.
"Overcome are death and strife, this night is born new life",
the robin sang rejoicing.
When rose the eastern star, the birds came from a-far.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Carol of the Birds (from Joan Baez)
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 26 Dec 05 - 03:30 PM

Guest Elk- Source? It this the Baez version?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: carol of the birds
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Dec 06 - 01:37 PM

Merci mille fois! I love this song and haved searched for the lyrics for years. My source lists it as originating in the Bas-Quercy region of France so it makes sense that there is a similar Catalan version.

One small correction to the French version, sky (heavens) is spelled "ciel".

Thank you so much!
Cindy

P.S.Does anyone have the Catalon to "What shall we give to the babe in the manger?"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: carol of the birds
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 19 Dec 06 - 05:21 PM

Guest, there are two carols, one French, one Catalan- not the same. Genie (07 Dec. 02) posted the English words for the French one you refer to; Gloredhel, and Guest (same date) posted the French lyrics.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: carol of the birds
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 19 Dec 06 - 05:37 PM

The title is not the same as the first line.
Catalan title to "What shall we give ..." is "El Noi de la Mare." The usual English title is "The Son of the Virgin (Mary)."
Both at http://www.angelfire.com/me/music17/elnoi.html
El Noi de la Mare

Subject: Lyr Add: EL NOI DE LA MARE (Catalan carol)
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 19 Dec 06 - 10:45 PM

Guest, here it is.
An excellent website for Aragon and other Spanish folk song-
http://www.arafolk.net
Arafolk
(or one can go directly to children's songs with: http://www.arafolk.net/cinfant.html)

'Folklore musical' will lead you to 'cantos' to 'canciones infantiles' (Children's songs). Scroll down to "El Noi de la Mare" under Cantos de cuna (cradle song). The left box provides midi, the one on the right provides a brief score plus the text.
No English. Note the other categories under 'Folklore musical.'

Lyr. Add: EL NOI DE LA MARE
(Canción de cuna- cradle song)

1.
Què li darem, an el Noi de la Mare?
Què li darem que li sàpiga bo?
Panses i figues i nous i olives,
panses i figues i mel i mató.
2.
Què li darem, al fillet de Maria?
què li darem a l'hermós Jesuset?
Jo li voldria donar una cota
que l'abrigués ara que fa tant fred.
3.
Una cançó jo també cantaria,
una cançó ben bonica d'amor,
i que n'és treta d'una donzelleta
que n'és la Verge Mare del Senyor.
4.
En eixint de ses virginals entranyes
apar que tot se rebenti de plors,
i la mareta, per a consolar-lo,
ella li canta la dolça cançó.
5.
No ploris, no, manyaguet de la Mare,
no ploris, no, ai, alè del meu cor!
Cançó es aquesta que, el Noi de la Mare,
cançó es aquesta que l'alegra molt.
6.
Ángels del cel són els que l'en bressolen,
ángels del cel que li fan venir son,
mentre li canten cançons d'alegria,
cants de la glória que no són del món.
7.
Li darem panses amb unes balances,
li darem figues amb un paneret:
tam, pa, tam, tam, que les figues són verdes,
tam, pa, tam, tam, que ja maduraran;
si no maduren el dia de Pascua
maduraran en el dia del Ram.

Barcelona region, in the Catalan tongue.
http://www.arafolk.net

Subject: Lyr Add: THE SON OF MARY (El Noi de la Mare)
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 19 Dec 06 - 10:57 PM

English translation of "El Noi de la Mare"

Lyr. Add: THE SON OF MARY
(El Noi de la Mare; Catalan)

What shall we give to the son of the virgin?
What can we give that the babe will enjoy?
First, we shall give Him a tray full of raisins,
Then we shall offer sweet figs to the Boy.
First, we shall give Him a tray full of raisins,
Then we shall ofer sweet figs to the Boy.

What shall we give to the Beloved of Mary?
What can we give to her beautiful Child?
Raisins and olives and nutmeats and honey,
Candy and figs and some cheese that is mild.
Raisins and olives and nutmeats and honey,
Candy and figs and some cheese that is mild.

What shall we do if the figs are not ripened?
What shall we do if the figs are still green?
We shall not fret; if they're not ripe for Easter,
On a Palm Sunday, ripe figs will be seen.
We shall not fret, if they're not ripe for Easter,
On a Palm Sunday, ripe figs will be seen.

http://www.angelfire.com/me/music17/elnoi.html

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Carol of the Birds
From: Arkie
Date: 27 Dec 06 - 11:48 AM

There might be yet another Carol of the Birds.   The Clancy Brothers and the Wiggles have all recorded a different version.   The first verse goes:

Oh, many a bird did wake and fly, caroo, caroo, caroo,
Oh, many a bird did wake and fly
To the manger bed with a wandering cry
On Christmas Day in the morning, caroo, caroo, caroo
On Christmas Day in the morning.

V. 2 begins
The lark, the dove, the redbird came, caroo, caroo, caroo

V. 3
The owl was there with eyes to wide, caroo, caroo, caroo.

This is also the verson that is sung here in Stone County Arkansas probably due to the Simmons Family who use to sing this version. From what I have gathered so far, John Jacob Niles claims to have written this Carol of the Birds in the 1940's.

Since the version on the Wiggles recording is actually sung by two Irish singers I wonder if there is some Irish connection to the song. Did Niles write the song or borrow it from an Irish tradition or did the Irish borrow from Niles?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Carol of the Birds
From: Arkie
Date: 28 Dec 06 - 12:02 PM

Refresh

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Carol of the Birds
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 28 Dec 06 - 01:49 PM

Arkie, there seems to be a discussion of Niles and the song in "The Musical Times," vol. 91, no. 1283, pp. 31-32, 1950. No idea of content. JSTOR has it, but I don't have a subscription that includes that journal.
The song is called '20th c.' on a Battle-Parkening cd (Angels Glory), and supposedly was inspired by St. Francis of Assisi.
It could be folk, arr. and re-written by Niles, but I have no information.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Carol of the Birds
From: Arkie
Date: 28 Dec 06 - 04:48 PM

Q, thanks for the reference.   I cannot access JSTOR but it is possible that my son can through his college.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Carol of the Birds
From: MBSLynne
Date: 29 Dec 06 - 07:10 AM

I opened this thread because when I was at school we learnt a "Carol of the Birds". It was one of only two Australian Christmas carols I ever heard. It's completely different from any of the above and I can't remember most of it, but just to add another dimension, what I DO remember is:
"Out on the plains the brolgas are dancing,
Lifting their feet like war-horses prancing.
Up to the sun a woodlark goes winging
Something and something his something song singing
Orana, orana, orana to Christmas day"

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Carol of the Birds
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 29 Dec 06 - 12:12 PM

The item in "The Musical Times" concerning J.J. Niles's "Carol of the Birds" doesn't offer much detail. The article is a description of a collection of choral arrangments of songs from Niles, published by Chappell. No title for the collection is given, but it is described as "a batch of pieces by John Jacob Niles, a well-known American writer and arranger."

The author continues that the collection "includes some for two-part chorus, S.A., and some for three parts, S.S.A.; with or without a soloist. The style is simple, largely diatonic, naive, suiting the folk-songs or those which adopt that amiable, unexciting style which we associate with the bulk of such songs from the English-speaking lands." (!)

"A good many are carols; of the S.A. [soprano-alto] batch, 'Sweet Marie and Her Baby' and 'The Carol of the Birds'. The latter is a capella (the other S.A. items having piano accompaniment), and has an s. solo, the other parts humming: alleghretto 6-8.

So, it's entirely ambiguous as to whether Niles wrote the piece or not. They are his arrangements (with apparently typical hums and "ah"s sprinkled throughout).

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Carol of the Birds
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 29 Dec 06 - 01:44 PM

Thanks, Desert Dancer, much appreciated.

I thought the Australian Carol of the Birds was posted at Mudcat, but I can't find it so far.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Carol of the Birds
From: Little Robyn
Date: 29 Dec 06 - 02:56 PM

It's here, the song about the brolgas
Our choir sang it in 1963 or 64 but I wasn't very impressed at the time.
Robyn

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Carol of the Birds
From: Arkie
Date: 29 Dec 06 - 04:56 PM

Desert Dancer, thanks for filling us in on The Musical Times article.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Carol of the Birds
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 29 Dec 06 - 05:23 PM

And thanks to Little Robyn for finding the NZ-Aus version.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Carol of the Birds
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Dec 07 - 11:12 PM

Oh, many a bird did wake and fly, caroo, caroo, caroo,
Oh, many a bird did wake and fly
To the manger bed with a wandering cry
On Christmas Day in the morning, caroo, caroo, caroo
On Christmas Day in the morning.

this is the best version. I found it on Amazon in
A Child's Christmas Revels. I heard it on an NPR broadcast back in '96 or '97 and never forgot it. This is a very similar recording but back then I heard a live performance as part of some Solstice show.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Carol of the Birds
From: GUEST,lovingsurrender
Date: 22 Dec 08 - 04:57 PM

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir sings it this way (roughly as its hard to decipher) : Upon this holy night, a rush of birds in flight, their voices sing the savior, birds in joyful throng, to sing their praising song, a carol soft and tender. A song unto the child, to mary soft and mild ,adoration tender. The kindly eagle came to praise his holy name, >>>>>> oh sarolin replied tonight is Christmas Night and songs of love...

The cuccoo and the quail, who offered him....and sang of love undying. Upon this holy night, upon this holy night, upon this night...this night a rush of birds in flight.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Carol of the Birds
From: Monique
Date: 22 Dec 08 - 07:21 PM

Here is the original Occitan version of the Carol of the Birds = Whence comes this rush of wings afar. (there may be versions with minor variants)


NADAL DELS AUCÈLS

Aicí l'estela de Nadal
Qu'es aquel bruch dessús l'ostal?
Es una tropa d'aucelons
A Betelèm van dos a dos.

Dins l'estable ont lo rei del cèl
Dòrm entre l'ase e lo maurèl.
Digatz, aucèls, que venètz far.
- Venèm nòstre Dieu adorar.

Lo pol s'avança lo prumièr
Monta sul boès del rastelièr
E per començar l'orason
Entona son "Cocoroco".

Lo mèrle arriba en estiflant,
Lo linòt en canturlejant,
Lo pijon fa "Rocó rocó",
La lauseta "Tira liró".

Lo cardin sortís de son niu
Saluda e ditz "Tirli chiu chiu"
"Chiu chiu" respond lo passerat
E la calha fa "Palpabàt".

Aicí venir lo baticoet
Se pausa al costat del verdet
E sus l'albar, lo rossinhòl
Canta a l'enfant "Re, mi, fa, sòl"

Per onorar lo filh de Dieu
Venètz en granda devocion.
Aucèls, pastors, anges del cèl,
Cantèm anuèit "Noël, Noël"

---

Click to play

---

And here is a very literal translation (I never was a poet!)


THE CAROL OF THE BIRDS

Here is the Christmas star.
What is this noise over the house?
It's a group/troop of little birds
To Bethlehem they're going two by two.

In the cowshed where the king of heavens
Is sleeping between the donkey and the ox:
"Say, birds, what are you coming for?"
"We're coming to worship our God"

The chicken/rooster goes forward first
It climbs on the hayrack
And to begin the prayer
It starts singing its "Cockle-doodle doo"

The blackbird's arriving and whistling
The linett's humming
The pigeon goes "roo coo roo coo"
The lark "tira liroo"

The goldfinch goes out of his nest
Greets and says "Tirli chiu chiu"
"Chiu chiu" answers the sparrow
And the quail goes "Palpabat"

Here comes the wagtail
It sits besides the greenfinch
And on the willow, the nightingale
Sings to the Child "Re, mi, fa, sol"

To honor the son of God,
Come in great devoutness.
Birds, shepherds, angels from heavens
Let's sing tonight "Christmas, Christmas"



Here is a very long version of the Catalan "Cant dels ocells"

EL CANT DELS OCELLS


Al veure despuntar
el major lluminar
en la nit més ditxosa,
els ocellets cantant,
a festejar-lo van
amb sa veu melindrosa.

L'àliga imperial
se'n vola cel adalt,
cantant amb melodia,
dient: "Jesús és nat,
per treure'ns de pecat
i dar-nos alegria".

Repon-li lo pardal:
"Avui, nit de Nadal,
és nit de gran contento!"
El verdum i el lluer
diuen cantant, també :
"Oh, quina alegria sento!"

Cantava el passarell:
"Oh, que hermós i que bell
és l'infant de Maria!"
I li respon el tord :
"Vençuda n'és la mort,
ja naix la vida mia !"

Refila el rossinyol:
"És més bonic que el sol
més brillant que una estrella!"
La cotxa i el bitxac
festegen al manyac
i a sa Mare donzella.

Cantava el reietó
per glòria del Senyor,
inflant amb biçarria;
el canari segueix:
llur música pareix
del Cel gran melodia.

Ja n'entra el cotoliu
dient: "Ocells veniu
a festejar l'aurora!"
I lo merlot, xiulant,
anava festejant
a la més gran Senyora.

L'estiverola diu:
"No és hivern ni estiu
sinó que és primavera;
puix que és nada una flor
que pertot dóna olor
I omple la terra entera."

Cantava el francolí:
"Ocells qui vol venir
avui a trenc de dia
a veure el gran Senyor
amb sa gran resplendor
a dins d'una establia?"

Ve cantant el puput:
"Eixa nit ha vingut
el Rei de més grandesa!"
La tórtora i el colom
admiren a tothom
cantant sense tristesa.

Picots i borroners
volen entre els fruiters
cantant llurs alegries;
la guatlla i el cucut
de molt lluny han vingut
per contemplar el Messies.

Cantava la perdiu
"Me'n vaig a fer lo niu
dins d'aquella establia,
per a veure l'Infant
com està tremolant
en braços de Maria."

La garsa, griva o gaig
diuen: "Ara ve el maig!"
Respon la cadernera:
"Tot arbre reverdeix,
tota branca floreix
com si fos primavera."

Xiuxiueja el pinsà:
"Glòria avui i demà;
sento gran alegria
de veure el diamant
tan hermós i brillant
als braços de Maria."

El xot i el mussol
al veure eixir el sol
confosos se retiren.
El gamarús i el duc
diuen: "Mirar no puc;
tals resplendors m'admiren!"

For those who know French, you have a French translation here (it's where I took it from). For those who don't, English translation tomorrow.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Carol of the Birds
From: Monique
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 08:18 AM

Here is a very literal English translation (as I already said, I never was a poet, nor was I a native English speaker either)

SONG/SINGING OF THE BIRDS

When they see the brightest star
Rise up
In the happiest night
The singing little birds
Are going to celebrate it
With their honeyed voices.

The imperial eagle
Flies off high in the sky
And sings its melody,
It says "Jesus was born
To save us from sin
And to give us joy"

The sparrow answers it:
"Tonight, Christmas night,
Is the one of great happiness"
The greenfinch and the siskin
Say singing too
"Oh, what a joy I feel"

The linett sang
"Oh, how beautiful
Mary's child is!"
And the thrush answers:
"Death is defeated,
Now my life was born!"

The nightingale trills
"He's prettier than the sun,
Brighter than a star"
The black restart and the stonechat
Celebrate the baby
And the Virgin his mother.

The wren was singing
For God's glory
And was embroidering
The canary follows
Their music's sounding like
A great, celestial melody.

Then the lark enters
Saying:"Birds, come
Celebrate the dawn"
And the whistling blackbird
Was celebrating
The greatest Lady

The great tit said :
"It's neither Winter nor Summer
But it's Spring indeed
Since a flower was born
That spreads its perfume everywhere
And fills the whole earth with it.

The francolin was singing
"Birds, who wants to come
Today at the break of day,
To see the great Lord
In his splendour,
In a cowshed?"

The hoopoe is singing
"Last night came
The greatest King"
The turtle dove and the pigeon
Surprise everyone
By singing without sadness.

Woodpeckers and bullfinches
Fly in the orchards
Singing their joy;
The quail and the cuckoo
Have come from far away
To admire the Messiah

And the partridge was singing
"I'm going to build my nest
In this cowshed
To see the Child,
All shaking
In Mary's arms"

The magpie, the thrush or the jay
Say "Here's the month of May!"
The goldfinch answers
"Every tree is growing green again
Every branch is blooming
As if in Spring"

The chaffinch whispers
"Glory today and tomorrow"
I feel great happiness
When I see this diamond
So beautiful and so shining
In Mary's arms

The barn owl and the owl
As they see the day break (the sun peep through)
Withdraw, embarrassed;
The tawny owl and the eagle owl
Say "I can't look;
Such splendors dazzle me"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Carol of the Birds
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Jan 09 - 12:49 AM

This is the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's Rendition
(Thanks to my wife whose ears are better than mine).

Upon this Holy night,
A rush of birds in flight
Their voices filled with splendor.

-Came birds in joyful throng
To sing their praise in song
With carols soft and tender.

-All sang unto the child
To Mary sweet and mild
In adoration tender.

The kindly eagle came
To praise his Holy name
The nightingale came flying.

-All circled and replied
"Tonight is Christmas Night"
Their songs of love were crying.

-The cuckoo and the quail
Flew over hill and dale
They sang of love undying.

Upon this Holy night
Upon this Holy night
Upon this night...
This night a rush of birds in flight.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Carol of the Birds
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 21 Nov 16 - 02:16 PM

The great cellist Pablo Casals would often end his recitals with a very moving version of "Carol of the Bells"/
See link below to recording of Casals playing the tune at a recital for JFK at the White House in 1961.
Interestingly, Casals also played a recital for Queen Victoria!

Casals plays at the White House