Awake! Ye Nations

For Christmas

Words and Music: By Moyle, Chacewater

Source: Ralph Dunstan, The Cornish Song Book (London: Reid Bros., Ltd., 1929), p. 116.

1. Awake! ye nations of the earth,
And celebrate the Saviour's birth;
With grateful hearts salute the morn,
On which the Saviour Christ was born.

2. The shining Hosts on winds of love,
Flew swiftly from the courts above —
With acclamations from the skies —
And seiz'd the Shepherds with surprise.

3. The Heav'nly Choir around did sing:
"This Day is born the Saviour-King."
They swell their notes of praise again:
"Glory to God, Goodwill to men."

Sheet Music

 

Awake! Ye Nations (I)

Awake! Ye Nations (II)

Note from Dr. Dunstan at the head of the first arrangement:

This is a Carol of the Redruth-Camborne type with an instrumental postlude.

Concerning the second tune, Dr. Dunstan writes:

This Tune is from a very old MS. Collection in the possession of Mr. W. C. Dunstone, of Portloe. It is the only tune with the name "Cornwall" I have ever seen in the old Cornish books.

Editor's Note

Also found in A Selection of Carols, Pieces, and Anthems, Suitable for Christmas. (London: W. Kent and Co.; Penzance: F. Rodda, ca. 1872), pp. 14-15.

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