Of Sweet Music

this was the main carol my choir sang in hawaii seven years ago. have never heard of a more wonderful piece of music than this. i can't find any other video; would have liked to view the version sung by the king's college choir, but this choir has done a pretty good job, only that the tenors have trouble reaching the higher notes, and that they sometimes go out of tune. nevertheless i enjoyed listening to it, and it sure brought back tons of memories!! enjoy.

the lyrics are by robert herricks (1591-1674):

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 honour to this day
That sees December turned 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. whose 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 showers,
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 honour. who's our King,
And Lord of all this revelling.