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Tune Req: songs about the magi
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Subject: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: GUEST,leeneia Date: 28 Dec 05 - 05:56 PM The gang wants to get together on Jan 1st (National Pointless Day) and play music, especially music for Epiphany. We're talking the magi (wise men, three kings) here. Does anybody know the names of any songs about them besides those I already know, which are: We three kings of Orient are The Golden Carol Late at night, upon a great highway, I saw three kings of the East come riding |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: open mike Date: 28 Dec 05 - 07:08 PM Darryl Purpose has a c.d. called the gift of the Magi. and O'Henry has a story about it. |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: Nigel Parsons Date: 28 Dec 05 - 07:29 PM Riding Out Across The Desert see page 5 of the PDF eucharist booklet Not quite a song, but there is T S Eliot's Journey of the Magi Nigel |
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Subject: Lyr Add: THREE KINGS FROM PERSIAN LANDS AFAR From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 28 Dec 05 - 08:21 PM Here are two you might like. 1 THREE KINGS FROM PERSIAN LANDS AFAR Three Kings from Persian lands afar To Jordan follow the pointing star: And this the quest of the travellers three, Where the new-born King of the Jews may be. Full royal gifts they bear for the King; Gold, incense, myrrh are their offering. How brightly shines the morning star! With grace and truth from heaven afar Our Jesse tree now bloweth. The star shines out with a steadfast ray; The kings to Bethlehem make their way, And there in worship they bend the knee, As Mary�s child in her lap they see; Their royal gifts they show to the King; Gold, incense, myrrh are their offering. Of Jacob�s stem and David�s line, For thee, my Bridegroom, King divine, My soul with love o�erfloweth. Thou child of man, lo, to Bethlehem The Kings are travelling, travel with them! The star of mercy, the star of grace, Shall lead thy heart to its resting place. Gold, incense, myrrh thou canst not bring; Offer thy heart to the infant King. Thy word, Jesu, Inly feeds us, Rightly leads us, Life bestowing. Praise, O praise such love o�erflowing. 2 Three Kings in Great Glory Three kings in great glory of horses and men, Of horses and men, In haste come a riding o'er mountain and fen, O'er mountain and fen; For their King is awaiting, and lo they would bring, And lo they would bring, The best of their treasure to give to their King, To give to their King. Poor shepherds lie huddled to-night on the plain, To-night on the plain, Their silly sheep guarding from danger and plain, From danger and plain, For the wolves howl around them, and bitter the air, And bitter the air, That blows o'er the snowfield as frozen and bare, All frozen and bare. Come monarchs, and enter, your Monarch is here, Your Monarch is here, Doff crowns, on the bare sode fall down and revere, Fall down and revere; For the best of you can offer is little I trow, Is little, I trow, To the Lord God of Heav'n you're a-kneeling to now, A-kneeling to now. Come, shepherds, and fear not, He will not despise, He will not dispise The gifts that you bring Him, tho' rude in men's eyes, Tho' rude in men's eyes. See, He's not arrayed here in purple and gold, In purple and gold, God's Lamb lies as helpless as lamb of your fold, As lamb of your fold. Then simple and gentle, and foolish and wise, And foolish and wise, Come adore the great Lord of the earth and skies, The earth and the skies; Who deigns for us all on this night to be born, This night to be born, This night fairer than mid-summer morn, Than mid-summer morn. And of course there is also The First Noel, which has them as Wise Men rather than as Kings, which is more in keeping with the Gospel account. |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: Wilfried Schaum Date: 29 Dec 05 - 08:14 AM "Die heiligen drei Könige mit ihrem Stern" by the famous German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: Cool Beans Date: 29 Dec 05 - 08:14 AM When You and I Were Young, Magi Little Magi (Sorry. My daughter's name is Maggie. Couldn't esist.) |
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Subject: Lyr Add: WE BE WISEMEN THREE From: MMario Date: 29 Dec 05 - 08:52 AM Try this - to the tune of "We be Soldiers Three" We be Wisemen Three Pardonnez moi, je vous en prie Lately come forth from out of the East In search of the Babe in the Manger Gifts we bear and gladly bring Pardonnez moi, je vous en prie Gold is first, to crown Him a king the Babe that is laid in the manger Frankincense to offer have we Pardonnez moi, je vous en prie For the Son of God and Virgin Marie The Babe that is laid in the manger Myrrh is third and last of the three Pardonnez moi, je vous en prie Foretelling His death, though sinless He be the Babe that is laid in the manger Sing Hosannah Earth, Sky and Sea Pardonnez moi, je vous en prie For Born today in Beth'lem city The Babe that is laid in the manger. |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: GUEST,leeneia Date: 29 Dec 05 - 11:14 AM Thanks, everyone, for these ideas. I've found two since my request: Songs of Thankfulness and Praise What Star is This? |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: Liz the Squeak Date: 29 Dec 05 - 11:19 AM There was one we sang at school that had the first line 'at break of day, as I went on my way, I met three kings and they were Eastern sages'... but I'm buggered if I can remember anything else about it. Putting 'eastern sages' into a search engine comes up with another song, not the one I remember but a good looking song all the same. LTS |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: Nigel Parsons Date: 29 Dec 05 - 11:41 AM LTS: That reminds me of: "Eastern sages, monarchs three Come with gifts in great plenty Worship Christ on bended knee Cum virginae Maria |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: GUEST,ClaireBear Date: 29 Dec 05 - 12:17 PM In my grade 6 school music textbook, Music Around the World (Silver Burdett/California State Series), there was a song called March of the Three Kings. It was set to Bizet's l'Arlesienne suite #2. Unfortunately all my Silver Burdett books are out on loan right now so I can't reproduce the words here, but perhaps someone else has this one? The song started more or less like this: Yesterday, they went upon their way The three great kings who came from foreign regions. Yesterday, they went upon their way The three great kings who came from far away. With chests of gold and with gifts untold... Good luck! Claire |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 29 Dec 05 - 03:45 PM Another song that might fit in, though not at first sight, is Alan Bell's "Bread and Fishes" No,it's not about the Magi/Wise Men/ Three Kings, but it shares the same religious subtext, about the Christ child being for Gentiles as well as for his own people. |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: Liz the Squeak Date: 29 Dec 05 - 04:10 PM I think that was the tune to the one I can't remember properly... that ol' Bizzy bloke. LTS |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: GUEST,ClaireBear Date: 29 Dec 05 - 05:05 PM Liz, I confess I was wondering about that; it did seem to scan the same way. I wonder if the two rather awkwardly worded English-language songs we cite here are both translations of a French (presumably) Epiphany carol. Anyone? |
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Subject: Lyr Add: LA MARCHE DES ROIS From: GUEST,ClaireBear Date: 29 Dec 05 - 05:29 PM Found the French carol. It's a bit less awkward in its original language, but probably would still not make the Top 50 list. Here it is, anyway: LA MARCHE DES ROIS De bon matin, J'ai rencontré le train De trois grands Rois qui allaient en voyage, De bon matin, J'ai rencontré le train De trois grands Rois dessus le grand chemin. Venaient d'abord les gardes du corps, Des gens armés avec trente petits pages, Venaient d'abord les gardes du corps Des gens armés dessus leurs just'au corps. Puis sur un char, Doré de toute part, On voittrois rois modestes comme d'anges Puis sur un char, Doré de toute part Trois rois debouts parmi les étendards. L'étoile luit Et les Rois conduit, Par longs chemins, Devant une pauvre étable, L'étoile luit Et les Rois conduit, Par longs chemins devant l'humble réduit. Au fils de Dieu Qui naquit en ce lieu Ils viennent tous présenter leurs hommages, Au fils de Dieu Qui naquit en ce lieu Ils viennent tous présenter leurs doux vœux. De beaux présent, Or, myrrhe et encens Ils vont offrir au maître tant admirable De beaux présent, Or, myrrhe et encens Ils vont offrir au bienheureux enfant. |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: Liz the Squeak Date: 29 Dec 05 - 05:59 PM Run it through the translator French to English - it's a hoot!!! LTS |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: Ron Davies Date: 29 Dec 05 - 10:53 PM It's actually fine in French--I've sung it with several groups. I've also found an English paraphrase (not literal, thank goodness)--that rhymes. But it's still clunky. Your best bet is French. The site I found it at claims the tune is Provencal-- 13 th century. At any rate it handily pre-dates the Bizet use of it in a farandole in L'Arlesienne. |
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Subject: Lyr Add: ROLLING DOWN TO BETHLEHEM From: Charlie Baum Date: 30 Dec 05 - 12:21 AM ROLLING DOWN TO BETHLEHEM Melody: Rolling Down To Old Maui Words by: Flawn Williams It's a thoughtful life, full of mental strife we Wise Men undergo. But we don't give a care, now the Christ Child's come, how fast our camels go. Now we're Westward bound over desert ground with our gifts to bring to Him. He's fast asleep with the pigs and the sheep in the town of Bethlehem. Chorus: Rolling down to Bethlehem, me boys, Rolling down to Bethlehem, We're Wise Men bound to the Holy Ground Rolling down to Bethlehem. Once more we pounce on our camel mounts and ride toward the stars With sacks of gold and bags of myrrh and frankincense in a jar. There'll be angels there with golden hair and shepherds on the hill But they'd better make way when we come today to bestow our wise goodwill. His father Joseph and Mary his mum had come their tax to pay, But in Bethlehem there were so many men the hotels turned them away. They were forced to go to the stable low to deliver the Baby then. But we won't fuss - for Kings like us there's always room at the inn! So thanks, good peasants, we now must go and continue our journey West. We've enjoyed our short time here with you, so we'll grant your small request. We are Wise Men true, so may God bless you, and your village poor and small And we'll take away when we leave today that crippled boy named Amahl. |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: MMario Date: 30 Dec 05 - 08:49 AM Thank you charlie! gona use that one 12th night! |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: GUEST,l Date: 30 Dec 05 - 11:29 AM |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: GUEST,leeneia Date: 30 Dec 05 - 11:36 PM Thanks for those words, MMario. I'm off now to fit them into the song. Where did you find them? |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 31 Dec 05 - 12:22 AM "Hymns and Carols of Christmas" has two versions in French, and three 'translations' (brief and approximate) of "La marche des rois mages," or "March of the Three Kings" with Noteworthy and midi (couldn't get the midi to work today). Also at this webside is "The Magi Came from Lands Afar, with Midi, sheet music, Noteworthy, etc., English, 1894 (Midi works). There are several with the title, "Three Kings ..." There should be others in their long list. Index page: www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/HTML/The_hymns_and_carols_htm Index |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 31 Dec 05 - 03:17 PM Spain and Mexico have many songs about the Three Kings or Magi. They deliver gifts to children, not the Santa Claus of the English-American tradition. "Los Reyes Magos de Humada," a very long poem-song "Los Reyes de Ordejón de Abajo" "Los Santos Reyes" These three traditionals and others at: http://www.arrakis.es/~turmodigos/newcan4.htm Los Reyes Magos "Los Tres Santos Reyes," with midi: http://www.elboricua.com/losreyes.html Los Reyes |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: Wilfried Schaum Date: 03 Jan 06 - 06:10 AM Cum virginae Maria make it virgine |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: GUEST,Kate Rose Date: 03 Jan 06 - 03:02 PM One fine day, I met upon my way The three great kings of the the orient riding One fine day, I met upon my way The three great kings in all their fine array. (Then thre bridge has something like the French, a description of the finery. . ., - that sort of thing.) With surprise, I saw the magi wise . . . . and scarce believed the sight before my eyes. For, lo, to guide them a star shone bright . . . For lo to guid them a star shone bright and on the manger shed its wondrous light. I remember the song -- these are bits and pieces from a children's collection, Diller Carols from Many Lands, I think, from maybe 50 years ago. Anyone have more? I would very much like to use it Sunday, and we can't sing the French. Kate berkeleykate@qwest.net |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: Anglo Date: 04 Jan 06 - 02:16 AM Also, "Over The Hill And Over The Dale," tune from Piae Cantiones, a text is at www.goldenhindmusic.com, song lyrics to Nowell Sing We Four by Nowell Sing We Clear. I believe Pint and Dale have also recorded this version. And at the same site "March of the Kings," an English text of the Provencal carol mentioned above, also from Nowell Sing We Clear, Hail Smiling Morn. |
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Subject: Lyr Add: CHRIST CHILD LULLABY From: Hrothgar Date: 04 Jan 06 - 02:41 AM CHRIST CHILD LULLABY My love, my pride, my treasure oh My wonder new and pleasure oh My son, my beauty, ever You Who am I to bear You here? The cause of talk and tale am I The cause of greatest fame am I The cause of proudest care on high To have for mine, the King of all And though You are the King of all They sent You to the manger stall Where at Your feet they all shall fall And glorify my child, the King There shone a star above three kings To guide them to the King of kings They held You in their humble arms And knelt before You until dawn They gave You myrrh and gave You gold Frankincense and gifts untold They traveled far these gifts to bring And glorify their new born King. |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: open mike Date: 04 Jan 06 - 04:00 AM since this has come to the top again i will post the link to the amazon site for Darrly Purpose's http://www.darrylpurpose.com/ Gift of the Magi http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000077W6F/ref=m_art_li_5/104-2719808-5808739?s=music&v=glance&n=5174 |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: GUEST,Marion Date: 05 Jan 06 - 12:12 AM This isn't a song, but I've done it as a dramatic reading and it's quite good. The following is a monologue from the book "Magnificent Defeat" by minister/author Frederick Buechner: "'Beware of beautiful strangers, and on Friday avoid travel by water. The sun is moving into the house of Venus, so affairs of the heart will prosper.' We said this to Herod, or something along those lines, and of course it meant next to nothing. To have told him anything of real value, we would have had to spend weeks of study, months, calculating the conjunction of the planets at the precise moment of his birth, and at the births of his parents, and their parents back to the fourth generation. But Herod knew nothing of this, and he jumped at the nonsense we threw him like a hungry dog and thanked us for it. A lost man, you see, even though he was a king. Neither really a Jew nor really a Roman, he was at home nowhere. And he believed in nothing, neither Olympian Zeus nor the Holy One of Israel, who cannot be named. So he was ready to jump at anything, and he swallowed our little jingle whole. But it could hardly have been more obvious that jingles were the least of what he wanted from us. "'Go and find me the child,' the king told us, and as he spoke, his fingers trembled together so that the emeralds rattled together like teeth. 'Because I want to come and worship him,' he said, and when he said that, his hands were still as death. Death. I ask you, does a man need the stars to tell him that no king has ever yet bowed down to another king? He took us for children, that sly, lost old fox, and so it was like children that we answered him. 'Yes, of course,' we said, and went our way. His hands fluttered to his throat like moths. "Why did we travel so far to be there when it happened? Why was it not enough just to know the secret without having to be there ourselves to behold it? To this, not even the stars had an answer. The prophecy said simply that he would be born. It was another voice altogether that said to go--a voice as deep within ourselves as the stars are deep within the sky. "But why did we go? I cannot tell you now, and I could not have told you then, not even as we were in the very process of going. Not that we had no motive, but that we had so many. Curiosity, I suppose: to be wise is to be eternally curious, and we were very wise. We wanted to see for ourselves this One before whom even the stars are said to bow down--to see perhaps if it was really true because even the wise have their doubts. And longing. Longing. Why will a man who is dying of thirst crawl miles across sands as hot as fire at simply the possibility of water? But if we longed to receive, we longed also to give. Why will a man labor and struggle all the days of his life so that in the end he has something to give the ones he loves? "So finally we got to the place where the star pointed us. It was at night. Very cold. The landlord showed us the way that we did not really need to be shown. The room was sparsely appointed, but clean. Our breath came out in little puffs of mist. The man and the woman. Between them the King. We did not stay long. Only a few minutes as the clock goes, ten thousand, thousand years. We set our foolish gifts down on the floor and left. "I will tell you two terrible things. What we saw on the face of the newborn child was his death. A fool could have seen it as well. It sat on his head like a crown or a bat, this death that he would die. And we saw, as sure as the earth beneath our feet, that to bow in submission before Him would be to share that death. "And now, brothers and sisters, I will ask you a terrible question, and God knows I ask it also of myself. Is the Truth beyond all truths, beyond the stars, just this: that to live without Him is the real death, that to die with Him is the only life?" |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: open mike Date: 05 Jan 06 - 01:36 AM Wow Marion...what a great story and how great it is to have you back again! |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: GUEST,Wendy Date: 24 Mar 08 - 07:13 AM I was singing the song only this morning LTS. We sand this song at school and all I remember is "At break of day as I went on my way, I met three Kings and they were Eastern Sages. At break of day as I went on my way I met three Kings all in their grand array. First of all came the guards so tall, their men at arms and their 30 little pages, and first of all came the guards so tall, the men at arms and all their pages small". I think that's right anyway it's how I remember it. It was sung to a tune that was on the Classic FM this morning, can't think what it is called. Surprised to read other people also wondering about this song. |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: GUEST,the button Date: 24 Mar 08 - 07:51 AM We used to sing this at school: - We three kings of Orient are, One in a bus, and one in a car, One on a scooter, blowing his hooter Riding through Beverley Bar. The folk process alive & well in East Yorkshire in the 70s. ;-) |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: Arkie Date: 24 Mar 08 - 07:25 PM Thanks for posting Marion. |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: GUEST,Chicken Charlie Date: 24 Mar 08 - 08:47 PM With a little slurring, "Magi, I couldn't have tried ... any more" would probably work, if you need filler. :) |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: Nick E Date: 24 Mar 08 - 09:58 PM Have I missed something? How about We Three Kings? |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: Nick E Date: 24 Mar 08 - 10:01 PM Yes I did so sorry, god I wish I could edit my posts to seem just a little less stupid. |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: Genie Date: 25 Mar 08 - 02:58 PM I have a Christmas album sung by Sandler & Young, and one track is this song: Out Of The East (Into The East) Out of the East there came riding, riding, Three of the wisest of men. Dust was their enemy blinding, blinding Even the wisest of them. Wandering shepherds heard tell their story, Told in the flickering firelight - Tender light, Ever bright Christmas night. Far to the West was there shining, shining Blazing a star in the dawn; Reverent wise men beheld it, saying "This night a savior is born." Into the West they went riding, riding, Following after the star, Over a quiet town shining, shining, Lighting their way from afar. Under its glory sat Mother Mary Tenderly singing a lullaby: Hush-a-bye, Don't-you-cry lullaby. Into the stable came riding, riding, Three of the wisest of men. Gifts did they bring for that Babe in a manger, Gifts for the Savior of men. Lo! In a manger they found Him, found Him, Bathed in the light of yon star. Gold did they bring Him and frankincense, And myrrh from a land that was far. Shepherds crept in singing praises, praises; Angels kept watch to be near to Him, Dear to Him, One with Him, praising Him. Into the East they went riding, riding, Three of the wisest of men. Found was the Babe in a lowly manger, Crowned was the Savior of men. I found the lyrics at Geocities.com: Into The East |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: open mike Date: 25 Mar 08 - 03:24 PM I am in the process of writng a song based on O. Henry's Gift of the Magi. There are no kings in it , though. |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: Tug the Cox Date: 23 Oct 09 - 07:42 PM We three spivs in Leicester Square Selling ladies underwear. Its fantastic no elastic, only three shillings a pair. |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: Jack Campin Date: 23 Oct 09 - 08:02 PM There was three kings into the east, Three kings both great and high, And they hae sworn a solemn oath John Barleycorn should die. (As far as I know the allusion to the Magi was Burns's idea, no other version of the song has it). |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: Young Buchan Date: 23 Oct 09 - 08:17 PM To save you from the wrath that will come should you attempt to perform the male-centric programme outlined by others, may I suggest the Three Wise Women which I believe was originally by Les Barker (if not it was Stanley Accrington). Everybody who sings it adds their own verses and adapts the others so it is possible that what is below may contain nothing of the original at all (on the principle of 'I have a twenty year old broom - it's had six new heads and three new handles'). Three wise women went down to Bethlehem, went down to Bethlehem, went down to Bethlehem; Three wise women went down to Bethlehem to see the baby King The first wise woman took cotton buds and baby wipes .... The second wise woman took two gross of Pampers Dry .... The third wise woman took a voucher from Mothercare .... The first wise woman said "What bloody use is frankincense?" .... The second wise woman said "Cowsheds aren't hygenical" .... The third wise woman said "Joseph, get up off your arse!" .... |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: Young Buchan Date: 24 Oct 09 - 05:50 AM By repeating each line 3 times and adding a refrain line of "Shortly after Christmas" you can sing MOST of Eliot's Journey of the Magi to the tune of Drunken Sailor (or Grumpy Pirate if you've been following a different thread!). But it gets a bit hairy when you get down to "With a running stream and a water-mill beating the darkness" :-S |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: DMcG Date: 24 Oct 09 - 06:04 AM Combining the three Kings and the idea that the Epiphany is about bring the Christ-Child to all Gentiles, I find "The Huron Carol" fits in very well: "The chiefs from far before him knelt with gifts of fox and beaver pelt." |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: GUEST,Bill Date: 25 Jun 11 - 09:42 AM Leeneia, are you still around? Can you post what you know of the lyrics that begin "Late at night, upon a great highway, I saw three kings of the East come riding..."? Thanks! |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: Jason Xion Wang Date: 25 Jun 11 - 10:13 AM Peter Paul and Mary has recorded a song called "The Magi". |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: GUEST,leeneia Date: 25 Jun 11 - 11:16 AM Hello, Bill. Here's what I remember. Late at night, upon a great highway (highway has the accent on 'way') I saw three kings of the east come riding. In the sky there shown a bright array to guide these kings upon their eager way. While noble courtiers went on before, ************************** ************************************* dispelling dangers that hovered near. Half the class pronounced 'hovered' as 'hoovered,' and our teacher had to stop everything and clear that up. |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: Joe_F Date: 25 Jun 11 - 08:50 PM It is a folkloric curiosity that, despite what seems to be a worldwide Christian tradition, there is no Biblical warrant for the Magi's being three, or for their being kings. |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: Kent Davis Date: 25 Jun 11 - 11:13 PM Joe F, You are right that the Bible doesn't say there were three magi, and also right that it doesn't say they were kings. The folkloric idea that they were kings is odd. The text says what they were. They were...magi. (As you probably know, the word "magi" has the same root as the word "magic". Magi are magicians, not in the "I can pull a rabbit out of a hat" sense, but in the sense of being sorcerers, wizards, or astrologers, those who claim special knowledge or special powers.) A related odd idea, common in folklore but not supported by the Bible, is the notion that the star they followed was exceptionally bright. It's brightness is never mentioned in the text http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=%20matthew%202:1-11&version=ESV Kent |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: GUEST,Doug Saum Date: 26 Jun 11 - 06:20 PM If you forgive a bit of self-promotion, I have a song called "The Magi" on my CD titled RESPONSIBILITIES. The lyrics a from W B Yeats and a free sample is available from CDBABY.com. It's definitely not the standard Christmassy treatment of these fellows. Regards, D |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: GUEST,EJR guest Date: 17 Sep 11 - 09:15 AM To Liz the Squeak . . . I remember that carol too. It was sung to the tune of Bizet's Farandole. I can't find the lyrics anywhere but I remember a couple more lines: At break of day as I went on my way, I saw three kings and they were Eastern sages, At break of day I went on my way, I saw three kings . . .[something or other] First of all came the guards so tall, Then men at arms with their 30 little pages. Anyone know any more!? |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: Clontarf83 Date: 17 Sep 11 - 06:19 PM Steve Earle-- Copperhead Road--last track--Nothing but a child---great re-telling of the magi story--oddly enough just mentioned this on another thread |
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Subject: Lyr Add: BRIGHTEST AND BEST OF THE SONS OF THE ... From: CupOfTea Date: 18 Sep 11 - 09:45 AM For decades my favorite Epiphany song has been Brightest and Best (also known as Star iu the East) - first fallen in love with from John McCutcheon's Winter Solstice album. It's in Southern Harmony I've seen two different tunes for it, with settings in The Christmas Revels Songbook and the current Episcopal Hymnal. Hail the blest morn, see the great Mediator, Down from the regions of glory descend! Shepherds, go worship the babe in the manger, Lo, for his guard the bright angels attend. Refrain: Brightest and best of the sons of the morning, Dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid; Star of the East, the horizon adorning, Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid. Cold on his cradle the dewdrops are shining; Low lies his bed with the beasts of the stall; Angels adore him, in slumbers reclining, Wise men and shepherds before him do fall. Refrain Say, shall we yield him, in costly devotion, Odors of Eden and offerings divine? Gems from the mountain, and pearls from the ocean, Myrrh from the forest, and gold from the mine? Refrain Vainly we offer each ample oblation; Vainly with gold we his favor secure; Richer by far is the heart's adoration; Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor. Refrain If you'd like to go ALL out, there's always Gian Carlo Menotti's one-act opera Amahal and the Night Visitors. I'm so tickled by the post with Flawn Williams charming parody, both for the song and for reminder of this seldom seen friend. I've tucked the lyrics away for our Christmas sing. Joanne in Cleveland |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: GUEST,Yorkshire lass Date: 26 Sep 11 - 09:52 AM The song At break of day, As I went on my way, I met three kings and they were eastern sages. was on BBC Radio 'Singing Together', for Primary Schools in the 1970's |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: GUEST,leeneia Date: 26 Sep 11 - 11:46 AM Hi, Yorkshire Lass. You're not the only person who only remembers part of that! Others are looking for a complete set of words. CupofTea: thanks for 'Brightest and Best.' |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: GUEST,Bludnok Date: 07 Jan 12 - 04:12 PM Never forget : "As With Gladness Men Of Old" (did the guiding star behold) two lines of a carol I Know |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: Genie Date: 08 Jan 12 - 06:55 AM Well, Flawn Williams mentions Amahl in his "Rolling Down to Bethlehem" lyrics, but no one's yet mentioned the opera in which Amahl is the title character: "Amahl and the Night Visitors," by Gian Carlo Menotti. Some of the arias from that opera are sung as choral pieces, outside of the opera itself. |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: Genie Date: 08 Jan 12 - 07:18 AM Here's one that's new to me: My King and My God (Wise Men's Song) . The first verse of the bluegrass song Beautiful Star Of Bethlehem is: O beautiful Star Of Bethlehem, Shining afar through shadows dim, Giving the light for those who've long gone on And guiding the wise men on their way Unto the place where Jesus lay, Beautiful Star Of Bethlehem, shine on. The 16th C. Latin carol "Personet Hodie" [which, BTW, is a track by Telynor on the new Mudcat seasonal CD "This Is Us: Until The Dark Time Ends"] has a verse about the magi. There are several singable English versions/translations of the Latin carol too. |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: Phil Cooper Date: 08 Jan 12 - 08:49 AM Has anyone mentioned Dave Carter's song "American Noel" on his take of the Magi? |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: Mr Happy Date: 08 Jan 12 - 10:29 AM Weren't they Zoroastrians? |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: Phil Cooper Date: 08 Jan 12 - 12:22 PM I checked earlier post and saw no mention of American Noel, so here are the words: (D)Three wise men Riding (A)hard through the (D)cold (G)Lost on some big (D)city street With (A)no place warm to go They are (D)looking for a manger Or a (A)sign in the (D)lights But they're a (G)long way from (D)Bethle(A)hem to(D)night (Asus4) But they heard about a (D)savior And a preacher in the (G)park Who will camp with the (D)homeless Where they shiver in the (A)dark He'll deliver sal(D)vation To the weary and the (G)cold And he'll bring (D)joy (G)joy (D)joy to the (A)wandering (D)soul (A) The (D)cleaning lady sighs As she (A)closes up the (D)gate 'Cause (G)this job don't quite (D)pay the bills And she's (A)always working late But (D)all in a moment Comes a (A)light from a(D)bove It's an (G)angel speaking (D)words of (A)joy and (D)love (Asus4) And he tells her of a (D)savior And a preacher in the (G)park Who will camp with the (D)homeless Under bridges in the (A)dark He'll deliver sal(D)vation To the weary and the (G)cold And he'll bring (D)joy (G)joy (D)joy to the (A)wandering (D)soul (A) (D)Four in the morning At the (A)Tradewinds Mo(D)tel The (G)register reads (D)"all full up" And the (A)clerk thinks just as well But (D)out in the tool shed 'Round an (A)old Coleman (D)lamp A (G)little family (D)makes its (A)meager (D)camp (Asus4) The (D)Wise Men bring presents And the (A)angels gather (D)'round The (G)cleaning lady (D)slips in through the (A)door without a sound And an (D)old black dog Looks (A)on with the (D)rest At the (G)little babe up(D)on his (A)mother's (D)breast (Asus4) And there comes a (D)savior And a preacher in the (G)park And he camps with the (D)homeless Where they shiver in the (A)dark He delivers sal(D)vation To the weary and the (G)cold And he brings (D)joy (G)joy (D)joy to the (A)wandering (D)soul (G) And he brings (D)joy (G)joy (D)joy to the (A)wandering (D)soul |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: Phil Cooper Date: 08 Jan 12 - 08:53 PM I think Michael Smith wrote a song cycle on the magi as well. |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: Monique Date: 09 Jan 12 - 04:42 AM An English version of Bizet's March of the Kings |
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Subject: Amahl And The Night Visitors From: Genie Date: 09 Jan 12 - 06:58 PM Thanks, Monique. That's the one I was looking for (the English lyrics being the ones I've heard most). BTW, Menotti's opera has several arias in it that are sung by the "kings" and/or about them. Here is the libretto, including the aria lyrics, from "http://www.christophervandyck.com/o/story/amahl">Amahl And The Night Visitors |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: GUEST,Colin Gamm Date: 24 Nov 12 - 08:16 AM "At break of day, as I went on my way..." came into my head this morning, and here I am. We sang it at school - can't remember if it was junior or senior school, but it must have been around or either side of 1960. I was around ten at the time and the schools were in Bromley, Kent (England). The tune involves three notes for the word "sages": sa-a-ages. Needless to say, we changed "Eastern sa-a-ages" to "eating sausages". Far too witty for our own good... |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: GUEST,Eddie1 (Still sans cookie) Date: 24 Nov 12 - 05:22 PM Back in the days when I lived in Scotland, I nearly wet myself when a small child of my acquaintance told me he had learned a new song at school called "Three Wee Kings"! Eddie |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: open mike Date: 24 Nov 12 - 09:11 PM to expand on my post from 2005: Darryl Purpose has a c.d. called the gift of the Magi. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfILNlDNhp0 and O'Henry has a story about it. here illustrated by a student film http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzs-GNtf2tY&feature=related |
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Subject: Lyr Add: WISE MEN (Anna & Kate McGarrigle) From: GUEST, MikeK Date: 25 Nov 12 - 02:44 PM Kate and Anna McGarrigle wrote and recorded "Wise Men" Wise Men by Anna McGarrigle, Kate McGarrigle In the desert where the stars are bright And constellations rule your life Long ago three kings set out To follow a peculiar light What did they see up in the sky That made them take leave of their land? And carry gifts on camel back Of the years of endless sand Through cloudless days and cloudless nights The bells upon the camel ring And the wind played on rips of sand It must be the voices of angels singing Gold to crown His loftiness Myrrh for the man upon his death Frankincense for godliness Black smoke eyed that starts tonight Minds explode in golden sand Underground black waters flow In Afghan fields, the poppies grow Gold to crown His loftiness Myrrh for the man upon his death Frankincense for godliness Fortunately I caught the error before it was too late: "In the dessert..."! |
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Subject: Lyr Add: THE KINGS OF THE EAST ARE RIDING From: Haruo Date: 26 Nov 12 - 12:51 AM I have always been rather strangely affected by the astrological imagery of "The Kings of the East are riding", by Katharine Lee Bates (who wrote "America the Beautiful", inter alia). Here's a YouTube. THE KINGS OF THE EAST ARE RIDING
The Cyber Hymnal™'s PDF of the tune (four-part setting) is available at the Hymnary.org page on the song. |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: Haruo Date: 26 Nov 12 - 02:48 AM The YouTube has "song" where it should have "harp" (first line of verse two). Haruo |
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Subject: Lyr Add: THE MAGI (W B Yeats) From: GUEST Date: 26 Nov 12 - 12:13 PM The Magi Now as at all times I can see in the mind's eye, In their stiff, painted clothes, the pale unsatisfied ones Appear and disappear in the blue depth of the sky With all their ancient faces like rain-beaten stones, And all their helms of silver hovering side by side, And all their eyes still fixed, hoping to find once more, Being by Calvary's turbulence unsatisfied, The uncontrollable mystery on the bestial floor. W B Yeats FYI, Doug Saum |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: Haruo Date: 13 Dec 12 - 11:58 AM There are several in the Shekerjians' 1963 A Book of Christmas Carols: p. 64 There were three kings, on journey did go (De Drie Koningen, English and Flemish texts) p. 68 The Golden Carol ("The star we've waited for so long") p. 70 Twelfth Night Song ("See them! There they go. Three noble kings Go riding through the snow.") p. 72 Melchior and Balthazar (Melchior et Balthazar; A French round from Bas-Languedoc; English and French texts) |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: GUEST,leeneia Date: 13 Dec 12 - 12:29 PM Thank you, open mike, Haruo and guest. Those are good songs. |
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Subject: Lyr Add: KING HEROD AND THE COCK From: GUEST,Don Wise Date: 13 Dec 12 - 01:39 PM Here's one involving the Magi you've all missed: KING HEROD AND THE COCK There was a star in David's land In David's land schon clear And in King Herod's chamber So bright it did shine there The Wise Men they soon spied it And they told the king on high That a heavenly babe was born that night No man would ever destroy If this be true King Herod said That you've been telling me Then the roasted cock that's in this dish Shall crow full fences three Now the cock soon feathered and thrust and grew By the working of God's own hand Three times that roasted cock did crow In the dish where it did stand |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: Stilly River Sage Date: 13 Dec 12 - 01:46 PM Another vote for Menotti - I remember seeing the first performance of Amal on television. It's a rich source of material for you. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: Haruo Date: 14 Dec 12 - 02:02 AM Of course the Magi/Kings are likely to figure to some degree in most Innocents' Day carols. A case in point being my own "In Bethlem Town", to the PESKY SARPENT tune ("On Springfield Mountain there did dwell"); they are in vv. 4 & 5:
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: GUEST,Bliudnok Date: 06 Jan 14 - 03:00 PM The hymn (further to my post 7 Jan 2012 As with gladness men of old) As with gladness men of old Did the guiding star behold As with joy they hailed it's light Leading onward, beaming bright So most gracious God may we Evermore be led by Thee As with joyful steps they sped To that lowly manger bed There to bend the knee before Him whom heav'n and earth adore So may we with willing feet Ever seek Thy mercy seat As they offered gifts most rare At that manger rude and bare So may we with holy joy Pure and free from sin's alloy All our costliest treasures bring Christ to Thee, our heav'nly King Holy Jesus ev'ry day Keep us in the narrow way And when earthly things are past Bring our ransomed souls at last Where they need no star to guide Where no clouds Thy glory hide |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: GUEST,Bludnok Date: 06 Jan 14 - 04:28 PM There is my own take on We Three Kings. Written by me at age 8 (ahem cough cough) years ago. We Three Kings of Leyton Orient are, Bearing footballs gathered afar. Fish-and-chip shop and fountain, manhole and mountain Following yon Vauxhall car, Ohh-hh, Car of wonder, Car of night Car with Royal beauty bright, Stadium leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect floodlight happy days. I'm a Man U fan (for my sins at the moment)so Leyton Orient is just poetic licence. Heh |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: GUEST,Bludnok Date: 06 Jan 14 - 04:33 PM PS. For U.S. readers I'm English and Leyton orient is a U.K. soccer team.Man U short for Manchester United. Happy Epiphany all |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: GUEST Date: 06 Jan 14 - 08:41 PM There's an old question about the star opens a wealth of other questions. Firstly, the change BC/AD to BCE/CE. That's because Herod died in 4BC - but if he ordered the newborn killed, then Jesus was born in 4BC or earlier. Secondly, we know from the Romans when Quirinius was Governor of Syria, and why a census was held: it was in 6AD, when the Romans fired Herod Archelaus for incompetence and took over Judea. Sounds like the lad's Bar-Mitzvah, Luke's got it wrong (again), so his birth's 7 or 6BC. As it happens, the Chinese reported a supernova in July 7BCE... So why Dec 25th? It's JC's fault - Julius Caesar, that is. He wanted his calendar running from Mar 25th, and that was the year-end, Lady Day, until they corrected his Calendar in 1754. He chose it for the Equinox, so the Solstice fell on Dec 25, and indeed that was certainly the case in 79CE, per Pliny the Elder, who stayed up to measure it. Of course, it's 21st now, just shows we lost another 4 days along the road. Didn't end there, when they dropped 11 days from the calendar to get the Gregorian system working, the City rioted because they didn't want to pay their taxes early, and so the tax year got put back to April 5th. So, we celebrate Winter Solstice, on the wrong day, in the wrong month, in the wrong year. The only good thing is that it gives you plenty of time to practice, and have a sporting chance of a barbie to celebrate. That is, if the Horned Dancers don't get you... |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: GUEST,poverello Date: 07 Jan 14 - 07:10 PM Shows how important astrology was in the ancient world. I love Advent/Christmas/New Year/Epiphany and the whole thing. |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: GUEST,leeneia Date: 08 Jan 14 - 10:32 AM HI, poverello. I love it too. Last Sunday we had another great 3 Kings party. I now realize that the 3 Kings party is a good way for adults to celebrate. We had middle eastern food, we brought our instruments, we sang together, and those who don't usually play music were invited to pick up a drum. What middle eastern food? hummus and baba ganoog from the corner store. also pita bread my simple version of sumac chicken. bake in oven, keep warm in slow cooker olives mixed vegetables. stir sage into butter. add to veggies. serve in slow cooker Christmas cookies stollen We usually have the non-players play games of their choice (Scrabble, Trivial Pursuit, dominoes), but this year they didn't even open the boxes. It was more important to them to socialize and to sing. We had two recorders one harp one mandocello two guitars three percussionists It was a mistake to make jpeg's of the music and to project it on the wall. Apparently the scanning software was bumfoozled by the lines and spaces of the music, and the images were not clear. Next year, we will hook the projector up to the big old desktop and project the actual NWC files. We didn't have any church ministers this year, but in the past some have been invited, and they love it. A party where they can just be a guest and relax! |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: GUEST,Al Date: 01 Apr 15 - 05:59 PM I know it's been a while since the last comment on this thread but I too have been looking for a full set of lyrics to 'At break of day', a song I remember from primary school in the late fifties. One line that sticks in my memory is 'in all their grand array'. Can anyone add to this, please? |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: FreddyHeadey Date: 01 Apr 15 - 08:46 PM re " At break of day " and the Bizet tune and Singing Together. It seems to be an 18thC French song attributed to Joseph Domergue with various translations. Even different versions in French Someone has written about it here oldfatherchristmas Well there are many threads on Singing together .,.. mudcat.might be worth checking if anyone might have a paper copy? Other links French French YouTube |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: any songs about the magi? From: GUEST Date: 14 Oct 15 - 11:17 AM One fine day I met grand array of three great kings upon their journey going-- One fine day I met a grand array of three great kings upon their noble way-- Their jewels bright in the morning light, The great procession was a noble sight. WHAT IS THE REST OF IT? |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: songs about the magi From: GUEST,Dawn Date: 07 Nov 16 - 02:30 PM I knew this song in school as well and I am trying to find it.I can add a bit more: Late one night Upon the great highway I saw 3 Kings of the East Come riding In the sky There shone a starry ray To guide these kings upon Their eager way While noble warriors with shields and spears, Dispelled the dangers that hovered near If anyone knows he song this is from...I'd love to hear from you. |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: songs about the magi From: leeneia Date: 07 Nov 16 - 10:46 PM I know what you mean, Dawn. I too sang that in grade school, and I can only remember half of it. If it's any comfort, here is a set of words which use the same tune: http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Hymns_and_Carols/march_of_the_kings.htm Monique kindly supplied that link. |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: songs about the magi From: leeneia Date: 07 Nov 16 - 11:16 PM I found the first verse at Mudcat thread 3449398: Late at night, upon the great highway I saw three kings of the East come riding. In the sky there shone a starry ray To guide these kings upon their eager way. While noble courtiers went on before And gold and priceless treasures bore The slaves and warriors with shield and spear Dispelled the dangers that hovered near. ======== It's a good start, but then what happened? |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: songs about the magi From: GUEST Date: 04 Jan 23 - 07:30 PM At break of day, as I went on my way I saw three kings and they were eastern sages At break of day, as I went on my way I saw three kings and they were sages all And first of all came the guards so tall Then men at arms and their 30 little pages And first of all came the guards so tall Then men at arms and all their pages small. |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: songs about the magi From: leeneia Date: 05 Jan 23 - 11:44 AM Thank you for those lyrics, Guest. ====== On Saturday, Dec 31st, we had another Three Kings party in the afternoon, so everybody was safe at home before the madness began. It's been traditional to have the party on Jan 1 (National Pointless Day), but on Jan 1 our football team was playing its chief rivals. Three Kings songs we did: We Three Kings of Orient Are (gotta have that one) Songs of Thanksfulness and Praise (make it sound baroque) Personent Hodie (get out the drums) All these tunes have more than one part, and we project them on a wall. For Personent Hodie I set the electric piano on oboe, and the sound fit right in, sounding medieval. In addition we did some cantigas to keep the minor spirit going and to use more drums. We had a great time. |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: songs about the magi From: Steve Gardham Date: 06 Jan 23 - 03:13 PM 'I saw three ships go sailing by' is said to be about the transferral of the skulls of the the three kings from the Holy land to Cologne, way back when, but they were out of their skulls by then! The story goes they were blown off course and had to take shelter in the Humber. I'll get me coat! |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: songs about the magi From: Monique Date: 06 Jan 23 - 06:14 PM We have one in Spanish on Mama Lisa's World. It's from Argentina and they sent it for us to post on our site in 2007 when they wrote, recorded and released it. It's a kid's song called "Gaspar, Melchor y Baltasar" by "La Banda del Musiquero Loco". You'll find the lyrics, a translation and a recording. We didn't include a sheet music since it's © material and they were nice enough to "lend" it to us for free. About "La marcho di Réi" that Bizet made famous by including the theme in his Arlésienne, you can find the original Provençal lyrics with an English translation (non singable) on Traditional music from County of Nice website. |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: songs about the magi From: GUEST Date: 09 Jan 23 - 07:40 PM At break of day, as I went on my way I saw three kings and they were eastern sages At break of day, as I went on my way I saw three kings in all their grand array. And first of all came the guards so tall Then men at arms and their 30 little pages And first of all came the guards so tall Then men at arms and all their pages small. Sorry, made a mistake with the earlier one (4 Jan). I think this must be the one Liz the Squeak remembers (we sang it at school too). These words match those of the French carol very well. It was sung to the tune of March of the Kings - I should think 'borrowed' by Bizet from the folk of Provence. |
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Subject: RE: Tune Req: songs about the magi From: FreddyHeadey Date: 16 Jan 23 - 09:03 PM There's no music you could take from this to turn into a song but it's a lovely programme if youre interested. The Journey of the Magi - Radio Ulster - 2022 W. R. Rodgers re-imagined the Christmas story of the wise men and their visit to Bethlehem in a broadcast poem for BBC radio in 1948. He describes their ‘zigzag’ journey through the seasons of the year with all of its changing moods and places and their quest in search of meaning – something that he says they found in ‘the child within themselves’ and just at that moment when all hope seemed lost. Belfast-based composer Paul Campbell has written a new piece of music to accompany W.R. Rodgers’ poem about the Magi. Composed as a special commission to mark the BBC’s centenary, his work blends words and music in fresh combination and reflects the inventiveness of the poem’s original broadcast. His score was written over several months in mid-2022 and was performed for this recording by the Ulster Orchestra in Belfast. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001ghlt |
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