WINTER

1. The First Nowell

(4.23 Traditional. Introduced by Maddy)
 
Album notes -   My spell-check has a problem with this version of Nowell, but it is correct, according to 'The Oxford Book of Carols' It is also apparently more for Epiphany than Christmas. But nobody knows that anymore.

2. Down in Yon Forest

(3.45 Traditional)

Album notes: Maddy:  This strange song was collected [in 1908] by Vaughan Williams from Mr [James?] Hall of Castleton, Derbyshire. It is long thought to have reference to the Grail Legend, sometimes incorporating a “stone with Corpus Christi written thereon,” the Grail in some ancient instances being a stone rather than a cup.

It has been noted that the tune to this ballad was the basis for Bob's melody on 'Alison Gross'

3. Unconquered Sun

(5.22 Written by Ken Nicol/Steeleye)
 
Album notes -  In the northern latitudes, midwinter's day, or mid winter solstice, has been an important time for celebration throughout the ages. On this shortest day of the year, the sun is at its lowest and weakest, a pivot point from which the light will grow stronger and brighter. This is the turning point of the year. The Romans called it Dies Natalis Invicti Solis, the Birthday of the Unconquered Sun.

4. Chanticleer

(4.17 Arranged by Steeleye Span )

Album notes:   Chanticleer is the cockerel proclaiming the dawn, of day or a new age. This piece was printed in 'Devonius Augustitianae Flamma' by William Austin in 1635 and is adapted from an English traditional melody.

5. Bright Morning Star

(3.16 Traditional)

First sung by Steeleye a-capella while supporting Jethro Tull in the UK in 1971

6. Winter

(4.13 Instrumental written by Peter Knight) 

7. See Amid the Winter's Snow

(5.48 Traditional. Introduced by Maddy Prior who sang it with the Carnival Band) 

8. Mistletoe Bough

(5.36 Written by Ken Nicol) 

Album Notes - 

From the earliest times mistletoe has been seen as one of the most magical, mysterious, and sacred plants of European folklore. It was considered a bestower of life and fertility; a protectant against poison; and even an aphrodisiac. The mistletoe of the sacred oak was especially sacred to the Celtic Druids. Using it to treat all manner of diseases and as an antidote to every kind of poison, they called it “all heal”. Kissing under the mistletoe is first found associated with the Greek festival of Saturnalia and later with primitive marriage rites. In Scandinavia, mistletoe was considered a plant of peace, under which enemies could declare a truce or warring spouses would kiss and make-up.

The feast of fools, or otherwise known as “The feast of the ass”, was an old French tradition marking the end of the Christmas festivities. Ludicrous songs were sung in churches, with choir singers sometimes dancing and dressing in grotesque attire. Old leather was burned as mock incense; and in some places an ass was led into the church, in whose honour a ridiculous Latin hymn was sung, with “hee-haw” for a refrain. These lines sung at the end of the song (From the regions of the east…) have been taken from a translation of one of these mock hymns.

9. Sing We the Virgin Mary

(3.41 Introduced by Maddy) 

Album notes -  What a beautiful medieval carol this is. Every word and every note perfectly written.

10. Today in Bethlehem

(3.41 Traditional)

11. Blow Your Trumpet Gabriel

(2.54 Traditional)

Album notes:  Rick and I first learnt this from Alex Atterson, latterly of Norwich, and most recently sang it at my Mum, Edith's, funeral. I'd like to dedicate it to both of them and other friends that have gone before.

12. Hark the Herald Angels Sing

(4.29 Traditional)

Album notes -  A slightly less robust singing of this commonly sung carol. But we've beefed up the backing.

13. Good King Wenceslas 

(4.36 Traditional)

14. In the Bleak Midwinter

(4.06)

Album notes -  Christina Rossetti wrote the poignant words for this well known song, with a tune is by Gustav Holst.