What Sweeter Music
In 7th grade, I sang in Patapsco Middle School’s Chamber Choir and this was one of our Christmas concert pieces. I ended up keeping my chorus folder and years later, found the sheet music stuffed under my piano chair. I hadn’t realized in middle school what a beautiful song this was, arrangement, lyrics, and all.
What sweeter music can we bring
than a carol for to sing?
The birth of this our heavenly king,
Awake the voice! Awake the string!
Dark and dull night fly hence away
and give the honor to this day
that sees December turn’d to May,
that sees December turn’d to May.
Why does the chilling winter’s morn
smile like a field beset with corn?
Or smell like a meadow newly shorn?
Thus on the sudden, come and see!
The cause why things thus fragrant be.
Tis’ He is born who’s quickening birth
gives life and lustre, public mirth
To heaven and the under earth.
We see Him come and know Him ours
who with His sunshine and His show’rs
turns all the patient ground to flowers,
Turns all the patient ground to flowers.
The darling of the world is come
and fit it is we find a room
to welcome Him,
to welcome Him.
The nobler part of all the house here is the heart.
Which we will give him and bequeath,
this holly and this ivy wreath.
To do him honor who’s our king
and Lord of all this reveling.
John Milford Rutter
Lovy
