A vERY queer Christmas 2024 - Our solstice night
Follow along with this evening's performance
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In the Bleak Midwinter Music by Holst Arranged by Michael Betteridge In the bleak midwinter frosty wind made moan, Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone. Snow had fallen snow on snow, Snow on snow, In the bleak Midwinter, long ago. Our God, heav’n can not hold him, nor earth sustain. Heav’n and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign. In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed. The Lord God almighty, Jesus Christ. What can 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. In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan, Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone. Snow had fallen snow on snow, Snow on snow. In the bleak Midwinter, long ago.
Solstice Carol By Kim Baryluk A fire is burning, the long night draws near All who need comfort are welcome by here. We'll dance ‘neath the stars and toast the past year For the spirit of solstice is still living here. We'll count all our blessings while the mother lays down With snow as her blanket covering the ground. Thanks to the mother for the life that she brings She'll waken to warm us again in the spring. The poor and the hungry the sick and the lost These are our children, no matter the cost. Come by the fire the Harvest to share For the spirit of solstice is still living here. A fire is burning, the long night draws near All who need comfort are welcome by here. We'll dance ‘neath the stars and toast the past year For the spirit of solstice is still living here. The spirit of solstice is still living here.
Every Passing Season Music by Joy Becker Arranged by Michael Betteridge Feed me cherries in the winter, Wrap me up in your desire, I’ll take the cold from your night, Read you stories by the fire And when the snow falls we'll make angels Laughing at our bodies sinking in the ground And I will wonder at your beauty, The shining piece of the world that I found. Take me walking in the springtime, Pick me daisies to braid into our hair, I'll hold your hand through the forest, Tread the earth as it takes away our cares And in the orchard we'll pick apples Smiling at the simple joy within our soul Never try to complete me For in your arms I am already whole Give me summer in the mountains, Breathless as we become drenched in the view I'll kiss you high upon the summit, Drinking in every blessed inch of you And in the valley we will swim, Wincing at the cold autumn on our skin There's such warmth within you, The icy doubts which try to chill us could not thin, nor win And will you stay with me in autumn By my side as the swift and swallows leave I'll make the coffee in the mornings, And watch you secretly in bed as we read And as the leaves fall so will I, More in love as each day draws to a close And with every passing season, I thank those lucky stars that I’m the one you chose, That I'm the one you chose
Wonders in the Sky By the Beauty Room Arranged by Adam Summers Searching the stars looking for evidence of life. Raging the night looking for answers you can't find, But you'll never change the way you choose to live your life You'll never ask yourself if what you do is right Never the one to bow your head and lose the fight Always the one to gain no world to feed your pride Searching the stars looking for evidence of life. Raging the night looking for answers you can't find, But you'll never start to see the colours of your fear. You'll never take the time to lap up every tear. Always the one to search for wonders in the sky, And the moment passes by And the moment passes by And the moment passes by Searching the stars looking for evidence of life. Raging the night looking for answers you can't find, But you'll never change the way you choose to live your life You'll never ask yourself if what you do is right Never the one to bow your head and lose the fight And the moment passes by And the moment passes by And the moment passes by And the moment passes by
Robin, Robin Why Do You Sing Words and music by Dominie Hooper Arranged by Michael Betteridge We go walking on the moor To make a wreath for your front door. Muddy boots on paper stood, Snow melting on the floor. I put my hand in to a bush A holly branch to gain, but I was scratched upon my wrist, Blood and berries all the same. Robin Robin Why do you sing? Is it to bring the warmth in? You flew down to the windowsill, And saw the flame within. Mother, mother purest love It pains me to pretend It's here that I call home; It's not here I feel free. Family is where there is love To be loved for who you are, And home is where that love resides, Be it near or far. Robin Robin Why do you sing? Is it to bring the warmth in? You flew down to our window sill, And saw the flame within. The apple fell under the tree, Hoping for love and family Mother, father, simple love, Will you still love me? Well in my belly lives this fire As true as an ever green tree As Christmas comes 'round every year You are as you as I am me. Robin, Robin Why do you sing? Is it to bring the warmth in? You flew down to my window sill, And saw the flame within. Oh oh oh, Robin Robin why do you sing? Is it to bring the warmth in? You flew down to my window sill And saw the fire within, And saw the fire within.
The Rose Words from poem ‘the Rose’ by Christina Rossetti Music by Ola Gjeilo The lily has a smooth stalk, Will never hurt your hand; But the rose upon her briar Is lady of the land. When with moss and honey She tips her bending brier, And half unfolds her glowing heart. There's sweetness in an apple tree, And profit in the corn, But lady of all beauty Is a rose upon a thorn. When with moss and honey She tips her bending brier And half unfolds her glowing heart, She sets the world on fire. (repeat)
White Christmas Words and music by Irving Berlin Arranged by Roy Ringwald I'm dreaming of a white Christmas Just like the ones I used to know, Where the treetops glisten And children listen to hear sleigh bells in the snow. I'm dreaming of a white Christmas With every Christmas card I write: May your days be merry and bright, And may all your Christmases be white. I'm dreaming of a white Christmas With every Christmas card I write: May your days be merry and bright, And may all your Christmases be white, May all your Christmases be-
December Will be Magic Again Written and performed by Kate Bush Arranged for The Sunday Boys by Simon Peterson December will be magic again Take a husky to the ice While Bing Crosby Sings white Christmas He makes you feel nice December will be magic again Old Saint Nicholas Down the chimney Just a poppin' up In my memory (pre-chorus) Ooh, jumpin' down in my parachute The white city, she is so beautiful Upon the black soot icicled roofs Ooh, and see how I fall, Ooh, see how I fall Ooh, see how I fall like the snow (chorus) Oh! come to cover the love- (cover the lovers) But don’t you wake ‘em up! Come to sparkle the dark- (sparkle the dark up) With just a touch of makeup! Come to cover the muck (cover the muck up) Ooh, with a little luck December will be magic again Light the candle lights To conjure mister Wilde Into the silent night Ooh, it's quiet inside Here in Oscar's mind December will be magic again Don't miss the brightest star Kiss under mistletoe I wanna hear you laugh Don't let the mystery go now (repeat pre-chorus, repeat chorus) December will- be magic again
Gaudete Music by Piae Cantiones Arranged by Suzzie Vago Gaudete, gaudete (repeats several times) (chorus) Gaudete, gaudete, Christus est natus Ex Maria Virgine, Gaudete! (repeat chorus) Tempus adest gratiae, Hoc quod optabamus, Carmina laetitiae Devote reddamus (chorus) Ezechielis porta Clausa pertransitur Unde Lux est orta Salus invenitur (chorus) Deus homo facttus est, Natura mirante, Mundus renovatus est A Christo regnante. (chorus) Ergo nostra contio Psallat iam in lustro, Benedicat Domino, Salus Regi nostro (chorus ×2)
Carol of the Bells Music by M. Leontovich Version by Patrick M. Liebergen Hark! how the bells, Sweet silver bells, All seem to say “Throw cares away” Christmas is here, Bringing good cheer To young and old, Meek and the bold Ding dong, ding dong, That is their song, With joyful ring, All carolling One seems to hear Words of good cheer From everywhere, Filling the air Oh, how they pound, Raising the sound O'er hill and dale, Telling their tale Gaily they ring, While people sing, Songs of good cheer, Christmas is here! Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas, Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas. On, on they send, On without end, Their joyful tone To every home (repeats from start) Dong– Ding, dong, ding, dong–
Sundayshire Wassail By Harry Castle Wassail, wassail all over the town, Our toast it is loud and our rum it is brown; Our bowl it is made of the white maple tree; With the wassailing bowl, we'll drink to thee. Here's to Dame Whitney, and to her right knee, May God send our mistress a good sip of tea, A good sip of tea, as e’er we did see, With the wassailing bowl, we'll drink to thee. And here is to Kylie, and unto her teeth, Pray God send our mistress a good piece of beef, And a good piece of beef, as e’er we did see, With the wassailing bowl we'll drink to thee. And here's to Mariah, and to her up high, May God send our mistress a good Christmas pie, And a good Christmas pie as e’er we did see, With the wassailing bowl we'll drink to thee. Here is to Michael, and to her good ear, Pray God send our mistress a happy New Year, And a happy new year as e’er she did see, With the wassailing bowl, we'll drink to thee. Be here any lads? I suppose here be some! Sure we will not let young men stand with no rum! Sing hey O lads! Come throw back the pin, And the fairest lad in the house let us in. Then here's to the one in the lily white smock, Who tripped to the door and slipped back the lock, Who tripped to the door and threw back the pin For to let these jolly wassailers in! Wassail… Come, bartender, fill us a bowl of the best, Then hope we your soul in fair Heaven may rest, But if you do draw us a bowl that’s too small Then down shall go bartender, bowl, and all! Wassail! Wassail! Wassail!
The Longest Night Music by Lucy Armstrong Words by Rebecca Hurst The longest night is nearly done, Yet there's time before dawn comes. The festive light blink off and on As our host plays the night's last song. For hours I've danced, alive and free. Jangling strings, piano keys. A crowded room, pounding feet. The sound of my own heartbeat. The embers in the fireplace glow. Alone I walked through cold and snow. But now I feel you by my side: Warm hands, shy smile, brown eyes. A swallow glints in the Christmas tree – Summer blue in the ever green. The embers in the fireplace fade, And I don't even know your name. For hours I've danced, alive and free. Jangling strings, piano keys. A crowded room, pounding feet. The sound, the pulse of my own heartbeat. Your smile is bright, your hand warm, I hear you ask if I'll walk you home. Snow feathered the road as I walked alone To a house full of laughter, joy and song. Your voice is silver, a peel of bells. We walk hand in hand on the snow feathered road- For hours I've danced, alive and free. Jangling strings, piano keys. A crowded room, pounding feet. The sound, the pulse of my own heartbeat. There's hours to go before the dawn. Your smile is bright, your hand is warm. Your voice a bell and you set alight The velvet blue of this long dark night. A swallow glints on the Christmas tree – Summer blue in the ever green. The embers in the fireplace flame; You smile as I call out your name. For hours I've danced, alive and free. Jangling strings, piano keys. A crowded room, pounding feet. The pulse, the flame of my own heartbeat, The pulse, the flame of my own heartbeat. The pulse of my own heartbeat, The flame, the flame.
Silent Night Arranged by Dan Forrest 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, heavenly peace. 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, 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 saviour Christ is born! Christ the saviour is born.
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Felix Mendelssohn Arranged by Dan Forrest 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 angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!” Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!” Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ the everlasting Lord! Late in time, behold Him come, Offspring of a virgin's womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, Hail th’incarnate Deity, Pleased with us in flesh 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 Sun 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!”