A New Year Carol - Benjamin Britten, John Rutter, Rachel Masters, Cambridge Singers

'A New Year Carol' Benjamin Britten From ‘The Cambridge Singers Christmas Album’ Composer Benjamin Britten Conductor John Rutter Harp Rachel Masters Choir The Cambridge Singers Buy, download or stream: https://lnk.to/CSingersXmasAlbum Find more of the catalogue and curated playlists by subscribing to the channel: http://bit.ly/2uQMe9P Social Media Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnruttermusic Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnrutter.composer/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/johnrutter.bsky.social Website: https://www.johnrutter.com A New Year Carol 'A New Year Carol' comes from Britten's Friday Afternoons (1936), a collection of twelve children’s songs which takes its title from the weekly slot once customarily given to class singing in the English school system. The symbolism of the folk text has been much discussed. It may relate to the Welsh custom of bringing fresh spring water with evergreen sprigs as a New Year gift. ‘Levy dew’ is probably a corruption of ‘Levez Dieu’, a reference to the elevation of the Host at the Eucharist. The ‘seven bright gold wires’ could be the seven candles (i.e.churches) and ‘the bugles that do shine’ the trumpets of the Apocalypse, two images from the Book of Revelation. LYRICS: Here we bring new water from the well so clear, For to worship God with, this happy New Year. Sing levy dew, sing levy dew, the water and the wine; The seven bright gold wires and the bugles that do shine. Sing reign of Fair Maid, with gold upon her toe, Open you the West Door, and turn the Old Year go. Sing reign of Fair Maid, with gold upon her chin, Open you the East Door, and let the New Year in. Benjamin Britten (1913–76) Words: anon The Cambridge Singers Christmas Album John Rutter selects some of his favourite Christmas carols, old and new, from classic Cambridge Singers recordings, including several of his own arrangements, closing with Vaughan Williams' majestic 'Fantasia on Christmas Carols'. 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. Contact info@collegium.co.uk