Natale in musica: tre canzoni a tema

Tre canzoni a tema, che ricordano il Natale e che nei Paesi anglosassoni sono riproposte spesso, durante il periodo che precede le festività natalizie. Ecco i testi:

 

Go, Tell it on the Mountain

While shepherds kept their watching

O’er silent flocks by night,

Behold throughout the heavens

There shone a holy light

 

: Go, tell it on the mountain

Over the hills and everywhere

Go, tell it on the mountain

That Jesus Christ is born.

 

The shepherds deared and trembled

When lo! above the earth

Rang out the angel chorus

That hailed our Savour’s birth;

 

Down in a lowly manger

Our humble Christ was born;

And God sent us salvation

that blessed Christmas morn

 

When I was a seeker

I sought both night and day

I sought the Lord to help me

And He showed me the way.

 

He made me a watchman

Upon the city wall

And If I am a Christian

I am the least of all.

 

Hark the herald angels sing

 

Hark the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn king

Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinner reconciled

Joyful all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies

With angelic host proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem”

Hark the herald angels sing, glory to the new-born king.

 

Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ the everlasting lord

Late in time behold him come, off-spring of the virgin’s womb

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, Hail th’incarnate deity

Pleased as man with man to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel.

Hark the herald angels sing, glory to the new-born king.

 

Hark the heav’n-born Prince of Peace, Hail, the Sun of Righteousness

Light and life to all He brings, Ris’n with healing in His wings.

Mild He lays his glory by, born that man no more may die

Born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth.

Hark the herald angels sing, glory to the new-born king.

 

Oh Little Town of Bethlehem

Oh little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie

Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by

Yet in they dark streets shineth, the everlasting light

The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

 

For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above

While mortals sleep the angels keep their watch of wondering love

Oh morning stars together, proclaim the holy birth.

And praises sing to God the king, and peace to men on earth.

 

How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given

So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heaven

No ear may hear his coming, but in this world of sin

Where meek souls will receive him still, the dear Christ enters in.

 

Oh holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us we pray

Cast out our sin and enter in, be born in us today

We hear the Christmas angels, the great glad tidings tell

O come to us, abide with us, our lord Emanuel.