Genesis 3: 8-19
God tells sinful Adam that he has lost the life of Paradise and that his seed will bruise the serpent's head.
LESSON TEXTAnd they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden. And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. And the Lord God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: and I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken; for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
God tells sinful Adam that he has lost the life of Paradise and that his seed will bruise the serpent's head.
- A patre unigenitusRütti, Carl
Something different for the First Lesson, this is a tour de force for mixed voices with optional soprano solo. The 15th century text is set alternately in plainsong-influenced homophony and sparkling exclamations of joy, concluding with a mighty 'Gloria tibi, Domine!'
- Adam and the MotherAndrew, Kerry
SSATB unaccompanied (with optional soprano solo). Combining a number of early lullaby texts in one setting, Adam and the Mother is a haunting carol recalling the fall of Adam. It combines irregular melodic lines with lilting ostinato passages and will appeal to experienced choirs.
- Adam lay y-boundenLedger, Philip
SATB with divisi, unaccompanied. Atmospheric and relaxed, this setting gives ample opportunity for upper and lower voices to display their richest tones in separate ensemble passages.
- Adam lay y-boundenMartin, Matthew
SATB unaccompanied. A glorious contemporary setting rich in dissonances, gently resolved. Matthew Martin's setting of Adam lay y-bounden was first performed by the Choir of Westminster Cathedral at St. George's, Hanover Square, London on December 19th 2006.
- Adam lay y-boundenOrd, Boris
SATB unaccompanied. Probably the most familiar setting of this famous ancient text. A classic!
- Adam lay y-boundenSkempton, Howard
SATB unaccompanied. A simple setting of this popular medieval Advent carol which has great originality and impact. The style is controlled, almost austere, and the effect is hypnotic. This is an unsettling but poignant piece that forces the listener to confront the mystery of Christ's coming foretold in the words.
- Adam lay y-boundenWalker, Robert
SATB unaccompanied. A delightful alternative to the better-known setting by Boris Ord, with energetic quaver movement throughout, yet melodically straightforward.
- Adam lay y-boundenWarlock, Peter
Unison voices and piano.
- Deo graciasBritten, Benjamin
SSS & harp, piano or organ. Extract from Ceremony of Carols.
- Falling into mercyArnesen, Kim Andre
Composer's note: "This work comes from amazement - that the encounter with divine love, our relationship with the sacred, is to be constantly astonished by the endlessness of the depths of love. Love's persistence, again and again, whatever our failures to be people of love, is our reassurance of our precious and limitless value in the eyes of our Creator. And this mercy, this depthless mercy, frees us to be become ourselves most fully, seeking, uncertain, but tenacious pilgrims." - Kim André Arnesen -
- Holly and the Ivy, TheGardner, John
A wonderfully entertaining original setting of a familiar text, for three equal voices and organ.
- Holly and the Ivy, TheGjeilo, Ola
This superb, fresh setting will bring out the very best in your choir. Accessible ranges and simple divisi makes this joyous arrangement suitable for good school choirs and beyond. Duration: ca. 3:30.
- Holly and the Ivy, TheMacDonald, Sarah
3-part upper voices & organ.
- Holly and the Ivy, TheOwens, Matthew
SATB & organ. This joyful new setting of the traditional English words combines dancing cross-rhythms, exuberant melodic writing, and a sparkling organ part. Guaranteed to put a smile on the faces of congregations and choirs alike!
- Holly and the Ivy, TheRutter, John
SATB & organ. Light and fluffy arrangement of the traditional English melody.
- Holly and the Ivy, TheWalford Davies, Henry
SATB unaccompanied with brief solo spots introducing each verse. Contained in 100 Carols for Choirs.
- I sing the birthElgar, Edward
Tenor solo & SATB, unaccompanied.
- I sing the birthJackson, Gabriel
SATB and organ. Commissioned by The Maryland State Boychoir in 2017, this striking Christmas piece sets a famous text by Ben Jonson. Jackson's attractive and largely diatonic harmonies combine with vivid word-setting, deft manipulations of texture, and a colourful organ part to create a mood of gentle rapture, with a central section that explores more conflicted atmospheres.
- Jesus ChildRutter, John
SATB & organ. A lively opener... 'Have you heard the story?'
- Jesus Christ the Apple TreeArcher, Malcolm
SATB and organ. Malcolm Archer's beautiful setting of this well-known anonymous text provides a wonderful alternative to more familiar versions.
- Jesus Christ the Apple TreePoston, Elizabeth
This simple, sonorous and highly effective carol has become a firm favourite in the Christmas repertoire. Set for SATB, this is also easily adapted for upper voices.
- Lord at first did Adam make, TheBackhouse, Peter (arr)
SATB unaccompanied. A delightful, lively setting of this traditional English carol.
- Lord at first did Adam make, TheWillcocks, David
SATB unaccompanied. Lovely setting of this traditional text.
- Make we joyWalton, William
A setting of a 15th-century carol, for SATB unaccompanied.
- Now may we singenMcDowall, Cecilia
SATB unaccompanied. Setting a fifteenth-century English text containing some short Latin passages, this is a joyful, dance-like carol with a medieval feel.
- Salus aeternaJackson, Gabriel
SATB unaccompanied. Salus Aeterna is a bright and mercurial piece that makes full use of the delicious fleeting harmonies and close-written sonorities of its flowing melodic lines.
- Sans Day Carol, TheRutter, John
SATB & organ. Rutter's arrangement of this buoyant Cornish carol is sure to continue to delight choirs and audiences alike.With its combination of pagan and Christian imagery and references to the Crucifixion and Resurrection, this carol could be suited to performance at Passiontide and Easter, as well as at Christmas.
- Truth from above, TheVaughan Williams, Ralph
SATB unaccompanied. Straightforward four-part setting of this familiar carol.
- Veni, redemptor gentiumSmith, Andrew
SATB unaccompanied, but well within the range of AATB choirs. Plainsong first and last verses, with three verses of straightforward harmony in between. Effective. Published in OUP's 'The Ivy & the Holly' (2008)
- Wexford Carol, TheNoon, Timothy
Baritone solo & SSATB with divisi. Timothy Noon misses no opportunity fully to exploit the harmonic potential of the traditional melody. A rich and resonant setting which would grace any Christmas service.
- Wexford Carol, TheRutter, John
SATB unaccompanied with optional baritone solo. A lovely arrangement, encapsulating the Christmas story, which sets the tone for the service.
- Wexford Carol, TheStopford, Philip
SATB with divisi. With music that flows steadily, this utterly beautiful Irish melody is adorned with simple and unobtrusive harmonies that enhance the true essence of the song as it unfolds through multiple verses in this setting for mixed voices.
- Wexford Carol, TheWilberg, Mack
Accompanied SATB. Setting two verses of the Irish traditional carol, Wilberg's version opens simply with unaccompanied unison men, before the piano/organ creeps in gently. The carol melody's haunting, modal qualities are complemented by colourful harmonic touches.
- World has waited long, TheBullard, Alan
SATB & organ/piano. Simple and attractive carol with optional soprano solos. This is accessible to a wide range of choirs and would be an excellent addition to a Christmas carol service.