Wednesday, 23 December 2015

Star of High Heaven (Nativity Scene): An Epiphany Carol



Star of High Heaven (Nativity Scene)
(Tune: “Dat Du min leefste büst”   [Trad. Low German])
Words by John B Hobbs




Star of high heaven
So gleaming and bright
What do you see, what do you see )
This wondrous night?                     ) x2

Angels are gliding
On gossamer wing
“Jesus is born, Jesus is born”        )
Sweetly they sing                         ) x2

Shepherds are searching
With crook in their hand
 Awe in their eyes, awe in their eyes)
 Angel-sent band                            ) x2

Cattle are lowing
      A stable stands nigh
      Hear in the night, hear in the night )
 Baby’s first cry                            ) x2
                 
Shepherds step softly
To peep in the door,
Enter and kneel, enter and kneel    )
Bow and adore                              ) x2
           
Mary and Joseph’s
To cherish and hold
Manger His crib, manger His crib,  )
Treasure untold                            ) x2
           
Princes of Orient
Presents they bring,
Incense and gold, incense and gold )
Fit for a king                                  ) x2
           
 Star of high heaven
 Now fading with dawn,
 Joyfully sing, joyfully sing,             )
 ‘Tis Christmas morn                      ) x2


You can hear the tune 'Dat Du min leefste büst’ sung at

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpYaRMyOB_Y

and find the chords HERE


Original Introduction read
This feels a very special occasion. One of my longest standing friends, who, about a quarter century back, moved from the UK to Vancouver has been in touch and allowed me to post a very lovely carol he has written, ideal for singing with children and very timely in that it starts with the Nativity star and ends with the Epiphany – The visit of the Wise men, led by that star. So, a sort of twelfth night carol. It can be sung to the tune of a lovely simple  traditional (low German) night-visiting song and there is a link to that song at the end of the verses from which it is easy to work out how these words fit the music.


Thank you John, it is a delight to have you as a guest writer on my blog.