“Earth stood hard as iron, Water like a stone...”
In the bleak midwinter
Frosty wind made moan
Earth stood hard as iron
Water like a stone
excerpt “In the Bleak Midwinter”
Song by Christina Rossetti and Gustav Holst
Even though Christmas is meant to be a joyful holiday, I often feel bleak, lonely, and overwhelmed. But I do like some of the music, and I enjoy playing the piano and singing. Music gives me permission to feel my feelings, even my saddest feelings, and I need that. So all month long, I have been singing Christmas carols in my studio and crying a bit while I make lots of small paintings (6 x 8 inches each) with India ink and white charcoal. Here are some paintings illustrating the parts of the songs that move me the most.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting light
excerpt “Oh Little Town of Bethlehem”
Song by Lewis Redner and Phillips Brooks
Bring a torch, Jeanette Isabella!
Bring a torch, to the cradle run!
excerpt “Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella”
music anonymous 17th century. French: Emile Blemont, English: E. Cuthbert Nunn
I played my best for Him.
excerpt “The Little Drummer Boy”
Song by Katherine Kennicott Davis
Sire, the night is darker now
And the wind blows stronger
Fails my heart, I know not how
I can go no longer.
excerpt “Good King Wenceslas
Song by John Mason Neale and Thomas Helmore
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
On a cold winter's night that was so deep
excerpt “The First Noel”
anonymous (traditional English carol)
“I,” said the dove, from the rafters high,
“I cooed Him to sleep that He should not cry,
we cooed Him to sleep, my mate and I…”
excerpt “The Friendly Beasts”
English words by Robert Davis, but the song may be quite old, 12th century France or maybe even older
The stars in the sky
Look down where He lay
excerpt “Away in a Manger”
lyrics anonymous, music versions by William J. Kirkpatrick and James Ramsey Murray