Gerald Finzi - In Terra Pax

 

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Noel: Christmas Eve, 1913

Pax hominibus bonae voluntatis  By Robert Bridges

A frosty Christmas Eve
   when the stars were shining
Fared I forth alone
   where westward falls the hill,
And from many a village
   in the water'd valley
Distant music reach'd me
   peals of bells aringing:
The constellated sounds
   ran sprinkling on earth's floor
As the dark vault above
   with stars was spangled o'er.
Then sped my thoughts to keep
   that first Christmas of all
When the shepherds watching
   by their folds ere the dawn
Heard music in the fields
   and marveling could not tell
Whether it were angels
   or the bright stars singing.

Now blessed be the tow'rs
   that crown England so fair
That stand up strong in prayer
   unto God for our souls
Blessed be their founders
   (said I) an' our country folk
Who are ringing for Christ
   in the belfries to-night
With arms lifted to clutch
   the rattling ropes that race
Into the dark above
   and the mad romping din.

But to me heard afar
   it was starry music
Angels' song, comforting
   as the comfort of Christ
When he spake tenderly
   to his sorrowful flock:
The old words came to me
   by the riches of time
Mellow'd and transfigured
   as I stood on the hill
Heark'ning in the aspect
   of th' eternal silence.

Also from The Gospel of Luke 2 

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field,
keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of 
the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round 
about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto 
them:

"Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, 
which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in 
the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this 
shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in 
swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the 
heavenly host praising God, and saying:

"Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will 
toward [men]1. We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we 
glorify thee, we give thee thanks for thy great glory, O Lord 
God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty."

"Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which 
is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us."

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them 
into heaven, the shepherds said one to another,
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the 
babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made 
known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 
And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were 
told them by the shepherds.

Composer: Gerald Raphael Finzi (July 14, 1901 – September 27, 1956) 

Orchestra: City of London Sinfonia 

conducted by Richard Hickox 

Chorus: London Symphony Chorus 

Baritone soloist: John Shirley Quirk 

Soprano soloist: Norma Burrowes