Rejoice and be merry - John Rutter, The Cambridge Singers, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
8. 'Rejoice and be merry' - John Rutter
From the album ‘A Christmas Festival’
Composer John Rutter
Conductor John Rutter
Choir The Cambridge Singers
Orchestra Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
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The occasion for this new setting of a traditional English text was a request in 2003 from the Washington Cathedral Choral Society for a carol accompanied by brass ensemble and handbells.
LYRICS:
Rejoice and be merry in songs and in mirth;
O praise our Redeemer, all mortals on earth:
For this is the birthday of Jesus our King,
Who brought us salvation: his praises we’ll sing.
A heavenly vision appeared in the sky;
Vast numbers of angels the shepherds did spy,
Proclaiming the birthday of Jesus our King,
Who brought us salvation: his praises we’ll sing.
Likewise a bright star in the sky did appear,
Which led the Wise Men from the east to draw near;
They found the Messiah, sweet Jesus our King,
Who brought us salvation: his praises we’ll sing.
And when they were come, they their treasures unfold,
And unto him offered myrrh, incense and gold.
So blessed for ever be Jesus our King,
Who brought us salvation: his praises we’ll sing.
(English traditional carol)
A Christmas Festival
Based on the annual 'Christmas Festival' concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, John Rutter directs the Cambridge Singers, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the award-winning Farnham Youth Choir alongside guest soloists Melanie Marshall, Clara Sanabras and Elin Manahan Thomas, for an unforgettable festival of Christmas music.
John Rutter, English composer and conductor, is associated with choral music throughout the world. His recordings with the Cambridge Singers (the professional chamber choir he set up in 1983) have reached a wide global audience, many of them featuring his own music in definitive versions. Among John’s best-known choral works are Gloria, Requiem, Magnificat, Mass of the Children, and Visions, together with many church anthems, choral songs and Christmas carols.
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