To Bethlehem

SAA (treble or women's voices)/piano - words and music by Nym Cooke - arr. Peter Amidon In the Amidons' book "Fifty-five Anthems for the Small Church Choir". Nym Cooke is a leading scholar of early American vocal music, and a wonderfully enthusiastic singing leader. He wrote this beautiful Christmas carol the winter after the birth of his daughter Thalia, and published his own lovely SATB harmonization in his classic collection "Awake to Joy! Christmas Carols for Part-Singing". I found the melody taking me in a different direction. You get both piano/vocal score and vocal score pdfs. LYRICS To Bethlehem by Nym Cooke Shepherds on the mountainside could not hide from the fire that filled the midnight heavens; Bands of angels bending low bade them go, and thus the news was given. From afar called the star, bidding all to come and see the baby. From afar called the star, bidding all to come and see the baby. Tiny infant in the hay sleeping lay, while the light of angels shone upon him; Kings and shepherds gathered round, knelt on ground and laid their gifts before him. From afar called the star, bidding all to come and see the baby. From afar called the star, bidding all to come and see the baby.