An American Festival of Lessons & Carols PRO ORGANO 7039 Memphis Boychoir & Memphis Chamber Choir John Ayer, music director UPC: 63607 77039 2 5 © Copyright 1996, 2025 Zarex Corporation. All rights reserved. Location digital sound engineering, digital editing, mastering: Frederick Hohman, ProOrgano.com Recorded in 1993 at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Memphis, Tennessee USA ******** PLAYLIST 01 My Dancing Day • arr. Gerald Near •Aureole Editions • 1:39 02 The Kings and the Shepherds • Daniel Pinkham • E. C. Schirmer • 2:34 03 Love Came Down at Christmas • Leo Sowerby • H. T. FitzSimons • 3:08 04 Adam Lay in Bondage • Conrad Susa • E. C. Schirmer • 1:36 05 O Magnum Mysterium • Ned Rorem • Boosey & Hawkes • 2:05 06 Good King Wenceslas • arr. Leo Sowerby • H. T. FitzSimons • 2:44 07 Evergreen • Daniel Pinkham • E. C. Schirmer • 3:26 08 Nativity Carol • Charles Callahan • H. T. FitzSimons • 2:12 09 Organ: In the Bleak Midwinter • Allen Orton Gibbs • Concordia Publ. House • 3:41 10 The Seed of David • Lloyd Pfautsch • Lawson-Gould Music Publ. • 2:24 11 Arise, Shine • Richard Wayne Dirksen • Harold Flammer • 5:57 12 There Is No Rose • Gerald Near • Aureole Editions • 3:06 13 A Stable Lamp is Lighted • David Hurd • G.I.A. Publications • 3:14 14 Gaudete, from The Cherubic Wanderer • James Peebles • © James Peebles. • 7:54 15 Organ: Fantasy on “Antioch” • Emma Lou Diemer • Augsburg Publ. House • 2:28 16 I Sing the Birth • Richard Wayne Dirksen • Harold Flammer • 3:01 17 We Wish You A Merry Christmas, from Six Secular Carols for Mixed Voices • arr. John Gardner • Novello & Co., Ltd. • 2:09 Total Program Time: 53:18 ****** TRACK 01 Carol: My Dancing Day text and melody: from W. Sandys Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern, 1833 music arrangement: Gerald Near [b. 1942] publisher: Aureole Editions, 1983 LYRICS: Tomorrow shall be my dancing day: i would my true love did so chance To see the legend of my play, To cal my true love to my dance: REFRAIN Sing O my love, O my love, my love, my love, This have I done for my true love. Then was I born of a virgin pure, Of her I took fleshly substance; Thus was I knot to man's nature, To call my true love to my dance: REFRAIN In a manger laid and wrapped I was, So very poor, this was my chance, Betwixt an ox and a silly poor ass, To call my true love to my dance: REFRAIN ***** TRACK 02 Carol: The Kings and the Shepherds Text: Robert Hillyer [1895-1961] Music: Daniel Pinkham [b.1923] Publisher: E. C. Schirmer Music Co., 1978 Sung by the Chamber Choir LYRICS: O good shepherds, tell the way: Shall we follow that new Star? We were kings but yesterday, Now like lowly folk we are. Gold we bring, but brighter far, Light of lights in yonder manger, Where sin and pride are laid aside And all but love remains a stranger. REFRAIN Sing Noel, we sing glad day Born to roll the night away. Holy child, smile on us now Under the shining Christmas bough, While we sing Noel, Noel, While we sing Noel, while we sing Noel. We the shepherds, filled with fright, Saw the newborn Star appear, Heard the angels sing in flight: Welcome love, and farewell fear. Child and Mother, mild and dear, Light of lights, the Gift and Giver, Bring all who roam the darkness, home, To worship God’s own Child forever. REFRAIN TRACK 03 Carol: Love Came Down at Christmas Text: Christina Rossetti [1830-1894] Music: Leo Sowerby [1895-1968] Publisher: H. T. FitzSimons Co., 1963 Sung by Boychoir with Chamber Choir Love came down at Christmas, Love all lovely, Love divine, Love was born at Christmas, Stars and Angels gave the sign. Worship we the Godhead, Love incarnate, Love divine; Worship we our Jesus: But where-with for sacred sign? Love shall be our token, Love be yours and love be mine; Love to God and all men, Love for plea and gift and sign. TRACK 04 Carol: Adam Lay in Bondage Text: 15th Century Anonymous Music: Conrad Susa [b.1935] Publisher: E. C. Schirmer Music Co., 1971 Sung by Boychoir with Chamber Choir LYRICS: Adam lay in bondage Bounded in a bond; Four thousand winters Thought he not too long. And all was for an apple, An apple that he took, As holy men find written in their book. Had not the apple taken been, The apple taken been, Then never would our Lady Been heaven’s queen, Blessed be the time That apple take was, Therefore may we sing it, Deo gratias. TRACK 05 Carol: O Mangum Mysterium Text: 4th Resp. Matins, Christmas Music: Ned Rorem [b.1923] Publisher: Boosey & Hawkes, Inc., 1978 Sung by Boychoir with Chamber Choir LYRICS: O magnum mysterium, Et admirable sacramentum Ut Animalia viderent Dominum Natum jacentem in praesepio. Beata virgo cujus viscera Meruerunt portare Dominum Christum. How great a mystery, And wonderful a sacrament That beasts should see the Newborn Lord lying in a manger. O blessed Virgin, Whose body was worthy to bear The Lord Christ. TRACK 06 Carol: Good King Wenceslas Author: J. M. Neale [1818-1866] Music: Traditional Arranger: Leo Sowerby Publisher: H. T. FitzSimons Co., 1991 Sung by Boychoir with Chamber Choir Soloist: Charles Sharp, treble Soloist: James Peebles, tenor LYRICS: Good King Wenceslas looked out On the feast of Stephen, When the snow lay round about, Deep, and crisp, and even: Brightly shone the moon that night, Though the frost was cruel, When a poor man came in sight, Gathering winter fuel. “Hither, page, and stand by me, If thou knows it, telling, Yonder peasant, who is he? Where and what his swelling?” “Sire, he lives a good league hence, Underneath the mountain, Right again the forest fence, By Saint Agnes’ fountain.” “Bring me flesh, and bring me wine, Bring me pine logs hither, Thou and I will see him dine, When we bear them thither.” Page and monarch forth they went, Forth they went together; Through the rude wind’s wild lament, And the bitter weather. “Sire, the night is darker now, And the wind blows stronger: Fails my heart, I know not how, I can go no longer.” “Mark my footsteps, good my page, Tread thou in them boldly; Thou shalt find the winter’s rage Freeze thy blood less coldly.” In his master’s steps he trod, Where the snow lay winter; Heat was in the very sod Which the Saint had printed. Therefore, Christian men, be sure, Wealth or rank possessing, Ye who will now bless the poor, Shall yourselves fine blessing. TRACK 07 Carol: Evergreen Text: Robert Hillyer Music: Daniel Pinkham Publisher: E. C. Schirmer Music Co., 1974 Sung by the Boychoir Featuring Marian Shaffer, harp LYRICS: How fine the sweetness from the bough, Evergreen, everliving, Like the pray’r offer’d now For a whole world’s forgiving; While the Christ Child is sleeping, Worlds of woe in his keeping, Worlds of joy in his dream. Lord, redeem us, redeem us! That when thou art waking, The hearts we uplift Shall be thy Christmas gift And be well worth thy taking. How bright the radiance of the tree, Evergreen, everlasting, Like the feast day to be After long years of fasting, Bright in hope Christmas morning To the Christ Child returning, Once again we believe. Lord, receive us, receive us! When we come before thee, The heart’s joy we bring Noel! Noel! Shall sing And forever adore thee. TRACK 08 Carol: Nativity Carol, from Three Christmas Motets Author: Robert Lowell [b. 1917] Music: Charles Callahan [b. 1951] Publisher: H. T. FitzSimons Co., 1990 Sung by the Chamber Choir Directed by Darren Raley LYRICS Carol, Christians! Christ is here! Carol for this baby dear! This is man, but God the more; Sing beside the stable door! This, our King without a crown, In a manger is laid down, When the maid with meekest hands, Wrapped Him all in swathing bands. Ages long ago He came, Lived and died, yet is the same: He who slain ere things were made In this stall a Babe is laid! Sing, good Christians, come and sing! Praise our Christ, and praise our King! Gladdest night! Most happy morn! Christ our Lord this day is born! TRACK 09 ORGAN SOLO: Prelude on “In the Bleak Midwinter” Melody: Cranham Composer: Gustav Holst [1874-1934] Arranger: Allen Orton Gibbs [b. 1910] Publisher: Concordia Publishing House, 1987 Organ Soloist: David J. Kienzle TRACK 10 Carol: The Seed of David Author: Thomas Pestel [1595-1659] Composer: Lloyd Pfautsch [b. 1921] Publisher: Lawson-Gould Music Publishers, Inc., 1989 Sung by the Chamber Choir REFRAIN: Mysterium mirabile. Claro David germine. Prophetarum carmine. Salvator sine crimine. TRANSLATION OF REFRAIN: A wonderful mystery From the seed of David, According to the prophets, Saviour without offense. Behold the great creator makes Himself an house of clay. A robe of Virgin flesh He takes Which He will wear for aye. Hark, the wise eternal Word Like a weak infant cries; In form of servant is the Lord, And God in cradle lies. REFRAIN This wonder struck the world amazed, it shook the starry frame; Squadrons of spirits stood and gazed, Then down in troops they came. Glad shepherds ran to view this sight; A quire of angels sings; And eastern sages with delight Adore the King of Kings. REFRAIN Join then, all hearts that are not stone, And all our voices prove, To celebrate this Holy One, The God of peace and love. REFRAIN TRACK 11 Carol: Arise, Shine Text: Isaiah 60:1-3, 11a, 14b, 18-19 Music: Richard Wayne Dirksen [b. 1921] Publisher: Harold Flammer, Inc., 1982 Sung by the combined Boychoir and Chamber Choir Soloist: Chad Dawkins, treble Soloist: James Peebles, tenor LYRICS: Arise, shine, for your light has come, And the glory of the Lord has dawned upon you. For behold, darkness covers the land; deep gloom enshrouds the peoples. But over you the Lord will rise, and his glory will appear upon you. Nations will stream to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawning. Your gates will always be open; By day or night they will never be shut. They will call you, The City of the Lord, The Zion of the of Israel. Violence will no more be heard in your land, ruin or destruction within your borders. Arise, shine, you will call your walls, Salvation, and your portals, Praise. The sun will no more be your light by day; by night you will not need the brightness of the moon. The Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God, your God will be your glory. Arise, shine, for your light has come. Arise, shine. TRACK 12 Carol: There Is No Rose Text: 15th-century English Music: Gerald Near Publisher: Aureole Editions, 1983 Sung by the combined Boychoir and Chamber Choir Soloists: Mona Bulpitt (Soprano) Julie Campbell (Soprano) James Peebles (Tenor) William Krieger (Baritone) LYRICS: There is no rose of such virtue As is the rose that bare Jesu; Alleluia. For in this rose contained was Heaven and earth in little space; Res miranda. By that rose we may well see That he is God in persons three, Pari forma. The angels sungen the shepherds to: Gloria in excess Leo: Gaudeamus. Now leave we all this worldly mirth, And follow we this joyful birth; Transeamus. TRACK 13 Carol: A Stable Lamp Is Lighted Text: Richard Wilbur [b. 1921] From “A Christmas Hymn” from “Advice to a Prophet And Other Poems” © Copyright 1961, 1989 by Richard Wilbur. Publisher: Harcourt Brace and Company Music: Melody Andujar, by David Hurd [b.1950] From The Hymnal 1982 Arrangement for harp and choir by James Richens [b. 1036] Publisher: GIA, 1985 [SESAC] Sung by the Boychoir Featuring Marian Shaffer (harp) LYRICS A stable lamp is lighted Whose glow shall wake the sky: The stars shall bend their voices, And every stone shall cry. And every stone shall cry, And straw like gold shall shine; A barn shall harbor heaven, A stall become a shrine. This child through David’s city Shall ride in triumph by; The palm shall strew its branches. And every stone shall cry. And every stone shall cry, Though heavy dull, and dumb, And lie within the roadway To pave his kingdom come. Yet he shall be forsaken, And yielded up to die; The sky shall groan and darken, And every stone shall cry. And every stone shall cry, For stony hearts of men; God’s blood upon the spearhead, God’s love refused again. But now, as at the ending, The low is lifted high; The starts shall bend their voices, And every stone shall cry. And every stone shall cry, In praises of the Child By whose descent among us The worlds are reconciled. TRACK 14 Carol: Gaudete, from The Cherubic Wanderer Text: Compiled by James Peebles from works by Nicholas Breton [1545-1626), Pr. Eleanor Fajeon [1881-1965], and Richard Rolle of Hampole [d. 1349] Music: James Peebles, 1993 Sung by the combined Boychoir and Chamber Choir Soloists: Mona Bulpitt (soprano, The Virgin Mary) Julie Campbell (soprano, The Angel Gabriel LYRICS: Angels: Eia, susanni, susanni, alleluya! Eia, susanni, susanni, alleluya! People in Bethlehem: I think this child, this child will come to be some sort of fisher or lover such as we! I think this child, this child will come to be some sort of shepherd, a shepherd such as we! Mary, to the child within: Lovely kind, and kindly loving, Such a mind were worth the moving. Truly fair, and fairly true, Where are all these but in you? Wisely kind, and kindly wise. Blessed life where such love lies! Wise and kind and fair and true, Lovely live all these in you. Sweetly dear and dearly sweet, Blessed, where these blessing meet! Sweet, fair wise, kind, blessed true, Blessed be all these in you. People: Gaudete, gaudete, gaudete, gaudete! Angel Gabriel: Virgo speciosa! TRACK 15 Organ Solo: Fantasy on “Antioch” Melody: George Frideric Handel [1685-1759] Arranger: Emma Lou Diemer [b. 1927] Publisher: Augsburg Publishing House, 1979 Performed by David J. Kienzle TRACK 16 Carol: I Sing the Birth Text: “A Hymn on the Nativity of My Savior” Author: Ben Johnson [1573-1937] Music: Richard Wayne Dirksen Publisher: Harold Flammer, Inc., 1973 Sung by the Chamber Choir LYRICS: I sing the birth was born this night, The author both of life and light; The angels so did sound it. And like the ravished shepherds said, Who saw the light and were afraid, Yet searched and true they found it. The Son of God, th’eternal King, That did us all salvation bring, And freed the soul from danger; He whom the whole world could not take. The Word, which heaven and earth did mark, Was now laid in a manger. I sing the birth was born tonight. TRACK 17 Carol: We Wish You A Merry Christmas, from Sir Cristemas: Six Secular Carols for Mixed Voices Text and music: Traditional English Arranger: John Gardner [b. 1917] Publisher: Novello & Company, Ltd., 1964 Sung by the combined Boychoir and Chamber Choir Soloist: Darren Raley, baritone Accompanist: Diane Meredith Belcher (piano) LYRICS: REFRAIN We wish you a Merry Christmas, We wish you a Merry Christmas, We wish you a Merry Christmas And a Happy New Year. Good tidings we bring to you and your kin, We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Now bring us some figgy pudding, (etc.) And bring some out here. REFRAIN For we all like figgy pudding, (etc.) So Bring some out here. REFRAIN And we won’t go till we’ve got some, (etc.) So bring some out here. REFRAIN ******* The Memphis Boychoir and Memphis Chamber Choir wish to thank the Vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church and the Revered James M. Coleman, former Rector of St. John’s for their support and generosity. The choirs also express gratitude to Dr. Edwin J. Barton, Lecturer in English at California State University, Bakersfield, for this effort in researching and compiling the various readings heard in this recording. ******* The Choirs Founded in 1988, the Memphis Boychoir has been widely acclaimed for this impeccable performances. The choir is a non-denominational, non-sectarian ensemble whose purpose is to develop a variety of musical and leadership skills among boys in the greater Memphis area, and to provide a performing outlet for talented young singers. At the time of this recording (1993), the choir rehearses twice weekly, and sings monthly services of Choral Evensong at St. John’s Episcopal Church. The Boychoir’s repertoire embraces a broad range of sacred styles from the sixteenth through 20th centuries. The Boychoir has been heard in several radio and television broadcasts, and has performed with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Opera Memphis. Shortly after this recording was made, the Boychoir enjoyed their time as a choir-in-residence at Ely and Durham Cathedrals in England. The Memphis Chamber Choir, also founded in 1988, is comprised of both professional singers and gifted amateurs from all walks of life. The Chamber Choir has weekly rehearsals, and has an active performing schedule of its own, which includes some touring with the Memphis Boychoir. The chamber choir accompanied the Memphis Boychoir in its choir-in-residence season at Ely and Durham Cathedrals. ******* The Music Director Hailed as a champion of 20th century American church music, John Ayer is founding musical director of the Memphis Boychoir and Memphis Chamber Choir. His touring with the Memphis choirs has garnered an international reputation for excellence in blend, diction, and repertoire. John Ayer was a boy chorister under Marian Allen at Christ Church in Winnetka, Illinois, and as a youth, he studied for two summers at Michigan’s Interlochen International Music Camp. Ayer is a graduate of Hartt College of Music with a double major in organ and choral conducting. Ayer also received two master’s degrees (in organ and sacred music) from Southern Methodist University. He also pursued doctoral studies at the Eastman School of Music. His primary organ instructors have included Edward Clark, John Holtz, Robert Anderson and David Craighead, while his primary choral instructors have included Gerald Mach, Lloyd Prautsch, and Donald Neuen. He apprenticed with Murray Forbes Somerville (Harvard), Allan Wicks (Canterbury Cathedral, England), and Gerre Hancock (St. Thomas Church, New York). ******* The Organist David J. Kienzle holds a doctorate in organ performance and literature from the College-Conservatory oof Music at the University of Cincinnati, a masters in organ from Kent State University, and a baccalaureate degree in organ performance from Westminster Choir College. He has served in the East and midwest USA as a church musician in numerous catholic and protestant parishes. His primary organ instructors have included W. Robert Morrison, George Markey, John Weaver, Donald McDonald, John Ferguson and Roberta Gary. ******* The History of this Album The 17 tracks of this album constitute a partial digital re-release of Pro Organo catalog item 7039. When originally released in 1993, under the title "An American Festival of Lessons & Carols," there were several poems and prose readings, with a near equal number of alternating sung and spoken tracks. Some readings in the original version of the recording were copyrighted literary passages, and these were licensed for manufacture and distribution as a physical Compact Disc. In 1993, the Compact Disc was the primary, and often the only, method of distribution of audio, because, in 1993, digital distribution had not yet been devised as a method of audio distribution. In 1996, the album was re-issued, again as a Compact Disc; however the label was unable to procure suitable license terms for some of the copyrighted readings for the second pressing of the CD, and so readings which could not be licensed were deleted from the Compact Disc program. In 2025, in a digital-only re-release of the album, all of the non-music poetry and prose readings found in the original 1993 and 1996 version of this album have been omitted, because the establishment of new licenses for the readings in the year 2025, where worldwide digital distribution was to be expected, was too great a task and expense for the label to fund and to track. All of the original 15 music tracks and 2 organ solo tracks are retained in this digital re-issue. The title of the album was shortened to “An American Festival of Carols.” Even without the presence of the original spoken word tracks, critics on both sides of the Atlantic have found, and are still finding, the choral presentations by John Ayer and his Memphis choirs to merit high praise. The beautiful, yet contemporary, music in the 2025 digitally-released album showcases the craft of a fine array of American 20th-century sacred music composers. ******* About the Album Cover The photograph reproduced on the cover of this recording is of a mural entitled “Holy Mother Enthroned.” It is one of eight murals located in the sanctuary of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Memphis. These murals were designed and executed in 1951-1953 by John Henry deRosen, a famous American artist whose other works are displayed in such notable venues as Washington National Cathedral and Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, as wells in other prominent churches throughout Europe. This particular mural depicts the Holy Mother, her arms outstretched, with the Christ Child seated in her lap, His hand raised in blessing. The Madonna is not holding the Child to herself, but in such a way as to present him to the world and to say, “I gave Him to you.” The position of her arms is symbolic of prayer. The throne on which the Holy Mother is seated is surrounded by rocks, with mountain peaks in the distance, a symbol of paganism. Above and behind is an immense night sky filled with stars, recalling the night of His birth. ******* The Memphis Boychoir Peter Allen William Compton * Andrew Crenshaw Chad Dawkins * Peter Dietrich Joshua Heeren Steven Hockman Patrick Holderbaugh Daniel Irwin Greg Phelps Benjamin Pope William Sanford Charles Sharp Jonathan Stein Stacey Wade (Head Chorister) Harold Williams Dr. Richard J. Reynolds, Chairman, Board of Trustees • Denotes Head Chorister The Memphis Chamber Choir Soprano Mona Bulpitt Julie Campbell Carol Craig Leigh Hobson LuAnn Martin Alto John Denton Tanda Grisham Randall Nelson Christina Wellford Scott Steven Scott Jean Scharding Smedley Tenor Randal Doan James Peebles Bruce Smedley Paul Watson Paul Zilch Bass Jack Bugbee William Cooper William Krieger Darren Rally Bob Van Doren John Ayer, music director Darren Rally, associate director David J. Kienzle, organist Marian Shaffer, harpist Diane Meredith Belcher, pianist *******