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Harp Guitar Christmas

by Muriel Anderson

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1.
El Noi de la Mare (Traditional Catalonian Carol) Que li darem a n’el Noi de la Mare? Que li darem li sapiga bon? Li darem panses en unes balances, Li darem figues en un panero. Li darem panses en unes balances, Li darem figues en un panero. Que li darem al Fillet de Maria, Que li darem a l’hermos Infanto? Panses i figures i nuez i olives, Panses i figures i mel i mato. Panses i figures i nuez olives, Panses i figures i mel i mato. Tam patantam, que les figures son verdes, Tam patantam, que ja maduraran. Si no maduren el dia de Pasqua, Maduraran en el dia del Ram. Si no maduren el dia de Pasqua, Maduraran en el dia del Ram. English Translation: THE SON OF MARY 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 offer sweet figs to the Boy. What shall we give 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.
2.
I heard the bells on Christmas Day Their old familiar carols play, And wild and sweet the words repeat Of peace on earth, good-will to men! And thought how, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom Had rolled along, the unbroken song Of peace on earth, good-will to men! Till, ringing, singing on its way, The world revolved from night to day, A voice, a chime, a chant sublime Of peace on earth, good-will to men! Then from each black accursed mouth The cannon thundered in the South, And with the sound, the carols drowned Of peace on earth, good-will to men! It was as if an earthquake rent The hearth-stones of a continent, And made forlorn, the households born Of peace on earth, good-will to men! And in despair I bowed my head; “There is no peace on earth,” I said; “For hate is strong, and mocks the song Of peace on earth, good-will to men!” Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: “God is not dead; nor doth he sleep! The Wrong shall fail, the Right prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to men!”
3.
English Jesu, joy of man’s desiring, Holy wisdom, love most bright; Drawn by Thee, our souls aspiring Soar to uncreated light. Word of God, our flesh that fashioned, With the fire of life impassioned, Striving still to truth unknown, Soaring, dying round Thy throne. Through the way where hope is guiding, Hark, what peaceful music rings; Where the flock, in Thee confiding, Drink of joy from deathless springs. Theirs is beauty’s fairest pleasure; Theirs is wisdom’s holiest treasure. Thou dost ever lead Thine own In the love of joys unknown. German Jesu, Freude am Wünschen des Mannes Heilige Klugheit, Liebe am hellsten Gezeichnet durch Thee, unsere Seelen strebend Steigen Sie zu uncreated Licht an Wort Gottes, unser Fleisch, das umarbeitete Wenn das Feuer des Lebens aufgewühlt ist Zum Wahrheit Unbekannten noch sich bemühen Hochfliegend, sterbend ringsum Thy Thron
4.
What Child is this who, laid to rest On Mary’s lap is sleeping? Whom Angels greet with anthems sweet, While shepherds watch are keeping? This, this is Christ the King, Whom shepherds guard and Angels sing; Haste, haste, to bring Him laud, The Babe, the Son of Mary. Why lies He in such mean estate, Where ox and ass are feeding? Good Christians, fear, for sinners here The silent Word is pleading. Nails, spear shall pierce Him through, The cross be borne for me, for you. Hail, hail the Word made flesh, The Babe, the Son of Mary. So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh, Come peasant, king to own Him; T he King of kings salvation brings, Let loving hearts enthrone Him. Raise, raise a song on high, The virgin sings her lullaby. Joy, joy for Christ is born, The Babe, the Son of Mary.
5.
Angels we have heard on high Sweetly singing o’er the plains, And the mountains in reply Echoing their joyous strains. Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong? What the gladsome tidings be Which inspire your heavenly song? Come to Bethlehem and see Christ Whose birth the angels sing; Come, adore on bended knee, Christ the Lord, the newborn King. See Him in a manger laid, Whom the choirs of angels praise; Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, While our hearts in love we raise.
6.
In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan, Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone; now had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow, In the bleak midwinter, long ago. Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him, nor earth sustain; Heaven and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign. In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ. Enough for Him, Whom cherubim, worship night and day, Breastful of milk, and a mangerful of hay; Enough for Him, Whom angels fall before, The ox and ass and camel which adore. Angels and archangels may have gathered there, Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air; But His mother only, in her maiden bliss, Worshipped the beloved with a kiss. What can I give Him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part; Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.
7.
Thank you for the answered prayers For many times I’ve prayed When patience was my greatest need You beckoned me to wait When patience was my greatest need You beckoned me to wait In humble prayer I ask to find The path I need to take And when my road is steep and long You’ve given me the strength Blessed Lord I marvel at The wisdom in the Truth Thank you for the Answered Prayers For I’ve had more than few Thank you for the Answered Prayers For I’ve had more than few
8.
O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light; The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight. For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above, While mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love. O morning stars together, proclaim the holy birth, And praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth! How silently, how silently, the wondrous Gift is giv’n; So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His Heav’n. No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin, Where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in. Where children pure and happy pray to the blessèd Child, Where misery cries out to Thee, Son of the mother mild; Where charity stands watching and faith holds wide the door, The dark night wakes, the glory breaks, and Christmas comes once more. O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray; Cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!
9.
O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel. O come, Thou Wisdom from on high, Who orderest all things mightily; To us the path of knowledge show, And teach us in her ways to go. O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free Thine own from Satan’s tyranny; From depths of hell Thy people save, And give them victory over the grave. O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer Our spirits by Thine advent here; Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, And death’s dark shadows put to flight. O come, Thou Key of David, come, And open wide our heavenly home; Make safe the way that leads on high, And close the path to misery. O come, O come, great Lord of might, Who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height In ancient times once gave the law In cloud and majesty and awe. O come, Thou Root of Jesse’s tree, An ensign of Thy people be; Before Thee rulers silent fall; All peoples on Thy mercy call. O come, Desire of nations, bind In one the hearts of all mankind; Bid Thou our sad divisions cease, And be Thyself our King of Peace. Original French dialect lyrics : Guillo, pran ton tamborin Toi, pran tai fleute Robbin; Au son de ces instruman Turelurelu, patapatapan; Au son de ces instruman. Je diron Noei gaiman. William, beat your drum with joy! Sound your fife now, Robin boy! While your instruments you play, Tu-re lu-re-lu, pata patapan, While your instruments you play, We shall sing Noel so gay. People in the days of yore Did the King of Kings adore; While your instruments you play, Tu-re lu-re-lu, pata patapan, While your instruments you play, We must do the same today. Like mankind and mankind’s Lord Fife and drum are in accord; While your instruments you play, Tu-re lu-re-lu, pata patapan, While your instruments you play, Let us dance and sing today. God rest ye merry, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay, Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day; To save us all from Satan’s power when we were gone astray. O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy; O tidings of comfort and joy. In Bethlehem, in Israel, this blessèd Babe was born, And laid within a manger upon this blessèd morn; The which His mother Mary did nothing take in scorn. From God our heavenly Father a blessèd angel came; And unto certain shepherds brought tidings of the same; How that in Bethlehem was born the Son of God by name. “Fear not, then,” said the angel, “Let nothing you afright This day is born a Savior of a pure Virgin bright, To free all those who trust in Him from Satan’s power and might.” The shepherds at those tidings rejoiced much in mind, And left their flocks a-feeding in tempest, storm and wind, And went to Bethl’em straightaway this blessèd Babe to find. But when to Bethlehem they came where our dear Savior lay, They found Him in a manger where oxen feed on hay; His mother Mary kneeling unto the Lord did pray. Now to the Lord sing praises all you within this place, And with true love and brotherhood each other now embrace; This holy tide of Christmas all others doth deface. God bless the ruler of this house, and send him long to reign, And many a merry Christmas may live to see again; Among your friends and kindred that live both far and near- That God send you a happy new year, happy new year, And God send you a happy new year.
10.
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head. The stars in the (bright) sky looked down where He lay, The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay. The cattle are lowing, the Baby awakes, But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes; I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh. Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay Close by me forever, and love me, I pray; Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care, And fit us for Heaven to live with Thee there.
11.
Hark the herald angels sing “Glory to the newborn King! Peace on earth and mercy mild God and sinners reconciled” Joyful, all ye nations rise Join the triumph of the skies With the angelic host proclaim: “Christ is born in Bethlehem” Hark! The herald angels sing “Glory to the newborn King!” Christ by highest heav’n adored Christ the everlasting Lord! Late in time behold Him come Offspring of a Virgin’s womb Veiled in flesh the Godhead see Hail the incarnate Deity Pleased as man with man to dwell Jesus, our Emmanuel Hark! The herald angels sing “Glory to the newborn King!” Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Son of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings Ris’n with healing in His wings Mild He lays His glory by Born that man no more may die Born to raise the sons of earth Born to give them second birth Hark! The herald angels sing “Glory to the newborn King!”
12.
O Holy Night 02:39
O holy night, the stars are brightly shining; It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth! Long lay the world in sin and error pining, Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices! O night divine, O night when Christ was born! O night, O holy night, O night divine! Led by the light of faith serenely beaming, With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand. So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming, Here came the wise men from Orient land. The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger, In all our trials born to be our Friend! He knows our need—to our weakness is no stranger. Behold your King; before Him lowly bend! Behold your King; before Him lowly bend! Truly He taught us to love one another; His law is love and His Gospel is peace. Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother And in His Name all oppression shall cease. Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we, Let all within us praise His holy Name! Christ is the Lord! O praise His name forever! His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim! His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!
13.
Silent Night 04:14
Silent night, holy night, All is calm, all is bright Round yon virgin mother and Child. Holy Infant, so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace. Silent night, holy night, Shepherds quake at the sight; Glories stream from heaven afar, Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia! Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born! Silent night, holy night, Son of God, love’s pure light; Radiant beams from Thy holy face With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth. Silent night, holy night Wondrous star, lend thy light; With the angels let us sing, Alleluia to our King; Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born!

about

Harp Guitar Christmas was a delight to record. Rediscovering the wealth of Christmas music and hearing them come to life on my instruments put me in the Christmas spirit for many weeks! My gratitude to all who helped in this project, from the instrument builders for their craft, the artwork, photos and research, to my friends who sat around the fireplace with me stringing harp guitar Christmas ornaments to place inside the CD’s.

credits

released November 1, 2006

Classical Harp Guitar by Mike Doolin, Steel string Harp Guitar by Del Langejans. All strings by GHS. Photos by Bill Puckett, Nashville, TN, Artwork by Laurie Wheeler. Special thanks to Pamela Hardy and Carlton Roos for program notes.

Recorded with a single Brauner stereo microphone. Produced and engineered by Muriel Anderson and mastered by Venus Mastering, Nashville TN.

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Muriel Anderson Nashville, Tennessee

Multi award-winning guitarist Muriel Anderson's "Nightlight Daylight" was chosen as one of the top 10 CDs of the decade by Guitar Player Magazine, and her “Heartstrings” recording accompanied the astronauts on the space shuttle Discovery. She has performed/recorded with Chet Atkins, Les Paul, Victor Wooten, and Tommy Emmanuel, among others. ... more

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