There Came A Shy Intruder
For Christmas
Words and Music: O eguberri gaua, Old Basque Carol
Words Translated by the Rev. J. O'Connor
Source: Richard Runciman Terry, Two Hundred Folk Carols (London: Burns Oates & Washbourne Limited, 1933), Carol #100, pp. 18-19.
1.
There came a sky intruder
To Bethlehem of Juda,
When ewes were
but beginning
The early winter yeaning.
Their shepherds were
unsleeping,
And thro' the wattles peeping,1
When
glory on them lighted,
And had them sore affrighted
When glory
on them lighted,
And had them sore affrighted.
2.
The minstrelsy of heaven
Stood out in order even,
And made a
famous carol,
How peace is on our quarrel;
How God is the
ever-living
Has glory of self-giving,
And men who keep
behaviour
Find evermore a Saviour.
And men who keep
behaviour
Find evermore a Saviour.
3.
With homely comfort laden,
The shepherds sought the maiden
And
told the tale of wonder
That she gave us to ponder.
In silence
all unbroken
The word of life is spoken
The midnight's ebon
kernel
Contains the Light Eternal.
The midnight's ebon
kernel
Contains the Light Eternal.
4.
The stately orbs of heaven
To song and dance are given;
The
fishes in the ocean
Be frolic for devotion.
The idols of the
heathen
Be paralysed and beaten;
The poor who sup with
sorrow;
Secure of merry tomorrow.
The poor who sup with
sorrow;
Secure of merry tomorrow.
Note from Rev. Terry:
1. The barbaric beauty of this phrase is ruined by 'correct' harmonies. I suggest that it be sung in unison, without accompaniment, or (at least) accompanied by stark octaves, thirds and fifths.
Editor's Note:
Rev. Terry provided an illustration of what he meant in this note by an illustration on the first page of the sheet music to this carol. See below (at the bottom of the page).
Sheet Music from Richard Runciman Terry, Two Hundred Folk Carols (London: Burns Oates & Washbourne Limited, 1933), Carol #100, pp. 18-19.
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