New Christmas Songs for Choir

Announcing Six memorable Christmas songs for choir. An explanation of each piece, plus a link for listening and ordering are included.

Text by William Chatterton Dix

Music and arrangement by Daniel Carter

1. As with gladness, men of old
Did the guiding star behold
As with joy they hailed its light
Leading onward, beaming bright
So, most glorious Lord, may we
Evermore be led to Thee.

2. As with joyful steps they sped
To that lowly manger bedThere to bend the knee before
Him Whom heaven and earth adore;So may we with willing feet
Ever seek Thy mercy seat.

3. As they offered gifts most rare
At that manger rude and bare;
So may we with holy joy,
Pure and free from sin's alloy,
All our costliest treasures bring,
Christ, to Thee, our heavenly King.

4. Holy Jesus, every day
Keep us in the narrow way;
And, when earthly things are past,
Bring our ransomed souls at last
Where they need no star to guide,
Where no clouds Thy glory hide.

5. In the heavenly country bright,
Need they no created light;
Thou its light, its joy, its crown,
Thou its sun which goes not down;
There forever may we sing
Alleluias to our King!

Listen to this piece and order music here.

Text by Daniel Carter

Arranged by Daniel Carter

Johann Pachelbel's immortal Canon In D is adapted for SATB voices with a simple piano accompaniment.

Difficulty level: moderate

Text:

Alleluia, Alleluia!

Born this day in David's city,

Laid within a lowly stall is

Christ the Lord, Immanuel,

The Prince of Peace,

The Great Redeemer!

Alleluia, Alleluia!

Glory be to God, glory be to God!

Mortal flesh awake! Wake and adore Him.

Prince of Peace, the Great Redeemer.

Alleluia, Alleluia!

Glory to God in the highest!

Peace on earth good will to men!

Alleluia, Alleluia!

Listen to this piece and order music here.

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Melody and text by Dee R. Woolley

Arranged by Daniel Carter

A gentle, moving text and melody arranged for three-part, SAB choir. Very singable and memorable.

Difficulty level: moderate

Text:

Christmas time is the time

When we remember

The gift God gave

When He gave His Son.

Tiny Babe born long ago

In humble stable;

Mary, Joseph,

And God's own Son.

Alleluia, Alleluia.

Angels singing

In joyful chorus,

Praising God

And His Holy Son.

Born for us

In that humble stable

Jesus, Savior,

Atoning One.

Alleluia, Alleluia.

Every day can be the day

When we remember

The gift God gave

When He gave His Son

To save us and show us

To love our neighbor

Love each other,

Every one.

Alleluia, Alleluia.

Oh, this is the way

We love our Savior:

Love each other

Every one.

Love each other

Every one.

Honor the Savior,

God's own Son.

Listen to this piece and order music here.

Music and text by Rebecca Berg

Arranged by Daniel Carter

Rebecca is a very gifted songwriter/composer and this song has been sung in churches and family gatherings for many years, but it's only more recently that an SATB version of her wonderful song is available.

Difficulty level: easy to moderate.

Text:

Christmas time fills the world again.

Happy voices sing, "Good will to men."

Then a feeling of music forgotten

Stirs my soul like a dream veiled in time.

Somehow do I know a heavenly song of long ago.

Burning bright in the heart of me

Like an ember in my memory.

Was I there in a chorus of angels when He came?

Did I sing out from heav'n, "Glory to His name" —

My Lord and my Brother still the same.

Though I can't recall the scene, the cold or balmy air,

Still somehow it must be so that I was there.

Did I weep for the love of Him on that holy night in Bethelehem?

Did I sing with a chorus of angels when he came?

Did I cry out from heaven glory to his name,

My Lord and my Brother still the same.

Heaven and earth together bound in wonder at the sight.

Nowhere else would I have been but there that night.

Did I weep for the love of Him on that holy night in Bethelehem?

Did I sing with a chorus of angels when he came?

Did I sing out from heav'n, "Glory to His name" —

My Lord and my Brother still the same.

Listen to this piece and order music here.

Music by William J. Kirkpatrick

Text, anonymous

Arranged by Daniel Carter

A new SATB arrangement of this traditional Christmas hymn.

Difficulty level: moderate.

Text:

Away in a manger, no crib for his bed,

The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head;

The stars in the heavens looked down where he lay,

The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the poor baby wakes;

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.

Listen to this piece and order music here.

Text by E. Caswell

Music by Daniel Carter

Arranged by Daniel Carter

Arranged for SATB voices, this anthem on a traditional Christmas text has gentle, moving vocal lines. Can be performed Accapella, or accompanist may double voice parts on organ or piano.

Difficulty level: moderate

Text:

Lo, within a manger lies

He who built the starry skies.

He, who throned in height sublime,

Came to earth to love mankind.

See the promised Lamb of God!

Sacred Infant, all divine

What a tender love is thine!

Thus to come from highest bliss

Down to such a world as this

Loving, promised Lamb of God!

Teach, O teach us, Holy Child,

By Thy face so meek and mild,

Teach us to resemble Thee

In thy sweet humility,

Loving, promised Lamb of God!

Hail thou ever blessed morn!

Redemption's happy dawn!

For Christ the Lord is born in Bethlehem.

Listen to this piece and order music here.