For Christmas Day
Latin Text: Ave, Maris Stella, Diuinitatis cella
Words by Dr.
John Mason Neale who
notes "14th century. This carol, like several others, borrows in the Latin
original the world-famous first line."
Compare:
Hail Thou Star That
Guidest
Music: According to George Ratcliffe Woodward, the tune of Ave maris stella lucens miserts, a Phrygian Mode Melody found in Piae Cantiones, 1582 and adapted by Rev. Thomas Helmore. Harmony by Rev. Woodward.
Source: Collected Hymns, Sequences and Carols (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1914), from John Mason Neale and Thomas Helmore, Carols for Christmas-tide (London: Novello, 1853).
Notes: George Ratcliffe Woodward, ed., The Cowley Carol Book For Christmas, Easter, and Ascensiontide, First Series. Table Of Contents (London: A. R. Mowbray & Co., Ltd, 1902, Revised and Expanded Edition 1929), Carol #6
1. Earth to-day rejoices,
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia,
Death can hurt no more;
And celestial voices,
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia,
Tell that sin is o'er.
David's sling destroys the foe:
Samson lays the temple low:
War and strife are done,
God and man are one.
2. Reconciliation,
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia,
Peace that lasts for aye;
Gladness and salvation,
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia,
Came on Christmas Day.
Gideon's Fleece is wet with dew:
Solomon is crown'd anew:
War and strife are done.
God and man are one.
3. Though the cold grows stronger,
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia,
Though the world loves night;
Yet the days grow longer,
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia,
Christ is born, our Light.
Now the Dial's type is learnt:
Burns the Bush that is not burnt:
War and strife are done;
God and man are one.
Sheet Music from John Mason Neale and Thomas Helmore, Carols for Christmas-tide: The Condensed Vocal Parts (London: Novello, 1854), pp. 17-19.
Sheet Music from George Ratcliffe
Woodward, ed., The Cowley Carol Book For Christmas, Easter, and
Ascensiontide, First Series
Table Of
Contents. (London: A. R. Mowbray & Co., Ltd, 1902, Revised and Expanded
Edition 1929), Carol #6
MIDI /
Noteworthy Composer /
PDF
Sheet Music from Rev. J. Freeman Young, ed., Carols for Christmas Tide (New York: Daniel Dana, Jr., 1859), #2
Sheet Music for Ave, Maris Stella, Diuinitatis Cella from George Ratcliffe Woodward, Piae Cantiones: A Collection of Church & School Song, chiefly Ancient Swedish, originally published in A.D. 1582 by Theodoric Petri of Hyland. (London: Chiswick Press for the Plainsong & Medieval Music Society, 1910).
Sheet music to Ave maris stella lucens miserts from Piae Cantiones.
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