In the bleak mid-winter (Holst, arr. Wilberg) | Carols from King's 2020

[@gothicwestern]

I went into town and there was not a carol to be heard. I remember a time when I actually got fed up of hearing carols in every shop and carol singers everywhere. What I would give to go back to those times now.

[@LESBIANANDAUTISTIC]

I disagree. I can't get enough of traditional European Christmas carols. I hate American hymn tunes. I hate American secular carols even more. I wish I could move to England.

[@gothicwestern]

@@LESBIANANDAUTISTIC me too, I love carols but they don't play them in public anymore in the UK and the town's Xmas lights could be for anything there's nothing Christmassy about them. The past few years the amount of lights on some private houses has increased enormously but now with electricity going up 500% - it's almost like it was a deliberate strategy to stop people celebrating Xmas. Anyway one of my favourite carols is Three Kings, not We Three Kings. And I love See Amid the Winter Snow and It came upon a midnight clear, and Lullee lulla, my little tiny child - I think that might be the Sussex carol. And quel est c'est odeur agreable. And the little drummer boy, a-rumpapumpum. 😄

[@gothicwestern]

@@LESBIANANDAUTISTIC I made a playlist of the carols I love. Sorry about the ads.

[@LESBIANANDAUTISTIC]

@@gothicwestern I love lights, period. They squeal at me ("Aia!") because I have synesthesia.

[@beemer2869]

I was delighted to see the wonderful Salvation Army play in my recent visit to London. In addition to this, my church has several Carol services and a carol concert this year and this weekend we are going to a carol service in a cave at Castleton in Derbyshire. The opportunity to hear beautiful Christmas carols is still here in England, but we need to see it more on the streets too for sure. It brings the true meaning and Spirit of Christmas into people.

[@paulalexander2928]

This carol reminds me of my daughter who past from this earthly vale at 30 years old in 2019 . I listen with tears rolling down my cheeks and thinking of what could have been had she married in March as was planned. My dear fragile flower your father misses you God bless you and keep you.

[@editedbylaurel]

I'm so sorry for your loss

[@gdust6579]

That is so sad. How did she die? Im 33/f. A man who played the organ at a church who wanted to marry me had taken his own life and i wonder what could have been. I cry bitter tears thinking of him in this song as I listened to a video at church where he played this song on Christmas in 2020 before he took his life. Its a very sad song this version of it.

[@seemakansabanik212]

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@24408167]

That is so sad and I feel for you , my lovely wife died 6 months ago and I am destroyed , nothing can repair what has happened to me God bless you , when I die it will be a relief to me so I can be with her life is never fair and has torn me to pieces

[@stupidsexyflanders2023]

Gosh, I am in tears reading your comment. I’m so sorry. Every Christmas must be hard for you. As a mother myself, I cannot imagine the pain.

[@timheywood4813]

Forty years ago I sang the last verse of this as a solo in the Primary school choir. We were very poor, often hungry, dirty and wearing Charity shop clothes. I can still remember being surprised by how many of the audience were crying. Now, as an adult I can understand the emotional responses to such powerful words and music and how my situation back then fitted the sentiments so genuinely. After four decades of trying to be good and generous, I am still poor and the one crying because of my understanding and empathy

[@karenkennedy4375]

Keep up the good work

[@averayugen7802]

OMG I thought I was the only one! THANK YOU!!🌲

[@louisemacardle4216]

You have lived well for 40 years, despite your poverty. I share the same experience. But this poem brings me great joy, as does the Christmas story, because the greatest treasure we can have is a relationship with Jesus. And our gift of our heart is worth so much more than great riches, and we receive so much in return from our heavenly father. I pray that you will listen to the Carol again, and open your heart to His love and peace and joy.

[@timheywood4813]

@@louisemacardle4216 Thank you for your thoughtful words. I actually made a mistake.....it was fifty years ago! That Christmas we were living in a squalid flat above a shop. The only food in the kitchen was a tub of margarine, tea leaves and a jar of pickled red cabbage. In the way only the innocence and nativity of six year old children can do, me and my sister wrote a letter to God asking him for help. We sellotaped a two and one pence piece to the letter, threw it out of the window and prayed. Maybe this year God will get chance to reply

[@georger64]

@@timheywood4813 I hope He does! 🙏🏼

[@NP-ui3tr]

I miss you, mom

[@Valtorex]

Your mom loves you so much, and is with the lord. God bless you

[@thusundi1963]

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.

[@ThinWhiteAxe]

This carol gets me through bleak mid-winter. ❤

[@faithmcgill8638]

First vocal note: Intense chills down my arms

[@albertjanik8532]

Strikingly beautiful ❤

[@espritdecorps5110]

I soooo miss my parents this time of year, yet somehow in the midst of the tears I find some solace in knowing that they raised a pretty decent kid who will always love them and what this time of year brings or should bring to us all. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone. May your season be bright! To my fellow servicemen and women...thinking of you and you are not alone. HOOAH!!

[@CLPianoMusic]

Wishing you the same, Merry Christmas! 🙏❤

[@alfredroyal3473]

We all think like you do. My two sisters and I grew up loving Christmas, all in a loving family, which didn’t have much. Our Maw and Da are dead now, we remember and love them for what they did and installed in us.

[@Fpstup]

Beautiful music to calm the troubled soul in sad times. My favourite carol.

[@barbarasantiago4204]

My absolute favourite carol, sung beautifully =. Amen to giving my heart to Him who gave His all for me.

[@organbuilder272]

Yes, a beautiful carol. This is an adaptation or variation on the traditional theme. Who is it that gave you all his money? Anyone would be grateful for that kind of generosity.

[@ChristopherAustin-z5n]

Beautiful, thank you. God Bless

[@markhall5656]

this is so beautiful tears of joy

[@rosemarysearle7093]

This beautiful arrangement by Mack Wilberg, the measured tempo of Daniel Hyde and wonderful singing brought me paradise on earth for a short time in a difficult Christmas alone. The whole service was a joy - thank you.

[@paulmoss691]

Sorry to hear you were alone at Christmas rosemary, wishing you a happier Christmas and love to you.... Paul

[@xaviergarcia7165]

Merry Christmas

[@griffinc9071]

This hits on so many levels.

[@professormuro]

Best version ever! This was originally called "A Christmas Carol" (sound familiar) by its author, Christina Rosetti, in 1872. While the melody may seem melancholic, this Carol is about hope. The lyrics are loaded with some great theological truths that require additional contemplation. It is not sad, but rather it is solemn. The world was bleak before Christmas . . . not anymore.

[@katiec3623]

They sound like angels.

[@arthurcassuli]

The most beautiful version of this song

[@ruthliberty2366]

Another one of my Christmas favourites .Aah... It just takes me to the smallest ,most beautiful country church deep in an English village.... Christmas week, hurrying and scurrying to buy, prepare and get ready for the big day.... And the village church decorated with the holly and the ivy ...... Beautiful.

[@EdiDrums]

Crystallise that comment: it might be archaic come 2036, when a drone delivers the turkey down your house's 'Amazon Xmas delivery chimney' (shute) - having algorithmed your shopping needs - while a chamber choir of A.I. humanoids predicts and sings each occupants' favourite carols from the roof.

[@jamz391]

Someday, I’d want to experience listening to a choir singing this live

[@SOROmadout2]

What I had I gave Him, gave my heart. I love my Lord & Saviour Jesus❤

[@organbuilder272]

Not many people enjoy being a slave.

[@olivebobo6885]

This Carol always me sad, yet I still love it.

[@grafvonsylt]

Happy Christmas for all people of the World! I am from Hamburg Germany and Chorister on a German Choir, and the Choir of King’s College Cambridge is a Idol for my! Happy Christmas

[@alanvonau278]

Fröhliche Weihnachten aus den Vereinigten Staaten!

[@grafvonsylt]

Fröhliche Weihnachten!

[@czesawwojtynski1488]

i join you from Poland

[@diluktttilakumara4243]

Merry xmas 💙

[@ankavoskuilen1725]

Happy Christmas to you too! Great you are a chorister!

[@stephenmyers-fulgham9841]

My favorite Christmas Hymn! 🥰

[@georgiabeasley188]

Simply beautiful songs and singing. Angels must sound like this.

[@janenichols3880]

This soothes the soul!❤

[@jamesforte-mason8849]

I cant explain why but this one chokes me up and wets my eyes, whatever I am doing I have to stop and listen to it right until the last note.

[@nickrandall2154]

Listening to this means more than i can express....

[@markhall5656]

I know what you mean❤

[@hariv48]

In the bleak mid-winter Frosty wind made moan; Earth stood hard as iron, Water like a stone; Snow had fallen, snow on snow, Snow on snow, In the bleak mid-winter Long ago. Our God, heaven cannot hold Him Nor earth sustain, Heaven and earth shall flee away When He comes to reign: In the bleak mid-winter A stable-place sufficed The Lord God Almighty - Jesus Christ. Enough for Him, whom cherubim Worship night and day, A breastful of milk And a mangerful of hay; Enough for Him, whom Angels Fall down before, The ox and ass and camel Which adore. Angels and Archangels May have gathered there, Cherubim and seraphim Thronged the air; But only His Mother In her maiden bliss Worshipped the Beloved With a kiss. What can I give Him, Poor as I am? - If I were a Shepherd I would bring a lamb; If I were a Wise Man I would do my part, - Yet what I can I give Him, - Give my heart. Christina Rossetti

[@barbara650]

Thank you for providing the lyrics. Much appreciated.

[@Wendyj55]

Words gentle and true

[@anjelakewell9671]

Not just my favourite poem but my most poignant carol.

[@susanadams8896]

Thank you for taking the time to share the words 🙏🏻

[@gwho]

ty, i can't make out any of the words by listening.

[@trevororme4646]

Beautiful. Beautiful. Beautiful. Bless you all. Much needed at this time.

[@road2exile]

Beautiful arrangement. The powerful low swelling at 2.25 underscores His utter supremacy.

[@adrianneil7722]

Can never get enough of listening to this wonderful Carol

[@azertyuiop2727]

That shot at 3:31, just insanely perfect camera work. If you ever read this, thank you invisible cameraperson!!

[@finzi4ever473]

well spotted - well done Rubens!

[@majorlaff8682]

It's okay to say cameraman. 'Manu' is Latin for 'hand' so a cameraman or chairman is simply saying 'camera hand' or 'chair hand' not a 'camera male', etc.

[@julesdesmond6394]

@@majorlaff8682 only problem being that no one knows this..

[@majorlaff8682]

@@julesdesmond6394 So why not stick with the original 'chairman' or 'cameraman'? Why fix something that was never broken?

[@kateps1874]

It is indeed a superb shot/transition. And Camera'person' shows respect and consideration, thank you for your comment, I might not have noticed it.

[@peterming]

The bleakest kind of bleak midwinter.

[@kentpiano2600]

Doesn't need to be Faith in our living God Who rises with healing in his wings

[@dp-sr1fd]

A warm summer will come. Who knows, something good may come of it all. An appreciation of simple things perhaps. That would be a novel thing for too many people.

[@michaelgreen4183]

I sang this at Mass earlier this evening. Listening now to this lovely rendition has certainly helped with the Christmas spirit this beautiful Christmas Eve.

[@isitover5549]

@williamssusan1579 Fine, thanks! I hope and your family have a blessed Christmas!

[@pat8212]

We were privileged to watch this performance, just last week, on television. Beautifully sung and the fact that no one but those present in the choir, did not detract from the magic of the event...many thanks to everyone taking part.

[@gwho]

ah, nice to see the word privileged used in the correct and non-cringe way - a thankful blessing, not an accusation of zero-sum guilt-inducing passive aggressive inheritance.

[@amnesiacradar]

Absolutely marvelous, we sang this in church as kids and didn't realise it was by Holst.

[@nathanpgraf]

I rarely become emotional. But this one put a knot in my heart and made the corner of my eye tear up.

[@Transition333]

I’ve never heard this beautiful, minor version before. As one person said, it’s perfect for such a sad year.

[@bornforbanning]

I don’t know if the choir has sung this version before, at least not for a long time. Stephen Cleobury preferred the arrangement of Harold Darke (who was director of the choir at Kings during WW2). However, I much prefer this version and it is better suited for the times. I am glad Daniel Hyde is taking the choir back in the direction of Boris Ord/Wilcocks/Ledger in terms of tempo and pace.

[@stufour]

Just to be pedantic - this is not in the minor. It’s using suspensions and new harmonies to Holst’s original.

[@ankavoskuilen1725]

Never did I hear a bleaker midwinter. Did describe 2020 just right for me!!!!

[@danielkironde]

Indeed a blue Christmas. It’s sadly beautiful.

[@LESBIANANDAUTISTIC]

Sad, yes. Not beautiful.

[@davidcacciabue1249]

Merry christmas from Paris

[@debbiebrett6689]

I was utterly mesmerized when I heard King's College performing this hauntingly beautiful arrangement .

[@SuperSuperfingers]

This beautiful arrangement by Mack Wilberg is sung and played to perfection. It’s lovely to hear it performed in an Anglican setting with the organ masterfully emulating the orchestra. If you listen to the Tabernacle Choir performing this with Mack at the helm, you will know that Mr Hyde is spot on with this!

[@stellaekeh6177]

I learnt and sang this hymn many years ago in an Anglican high school in Lagos Nigeria. But this year 2020 while experiencing my first winter/white Christmas in Ontario Canada, I've come to truly appreciate the lovely hymn. Thanks for this beautiful rendition.

[@DoctorWhyDesigns]

3:00 while I was growing up, my mother taught us this final verse. I never knew where it came from until this year.

[@shimi_raikkonen]

Dr. Wilberg, who arranged this piece, was my choir director in college; great memories. Thank you so much for this beautifully sung/played Christmas hymn.

[@magesterium2485]

If this carol arrangement does not move u to tears u have not got a soul ! Simply sublimed.

[@ZL54JK8]

Well, looks like I don't have a soul. I prefer the original version by Holst. I like the simplicity that allows the words to receive the full amount of attention.

[@EdiDrums]

Ditto. Ray Bans of Tenebrae, Short sighted and soulless. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mXOmio1vn659oas

[@kyrieeleison7065]

Well arranged music with beautiful chords... I'm glad to be a Christian. Jesus is Lord!

[@JansDreagel]

What a lovely performance.

[@davidolien2828]

The Kings Singers saved Christmas at Kings during this terrible time of Covid. This video of the near empty Chapel is a striking illustration of that time. The Kings Singers and her Majesty’s brilliant message gave us hope at a most desperate time.

[@R_Jackson]

It's wonderful that The King's Singers performed at such short notice, but my heart goes out to the choral scholars. Thank you for meeting all the challenges of these times to be able to go ahead with the service of Lessons, and Carols from King's - broadcasts which always, as so many have said, signal that Christmas has begun. Here's to a happier, safer year for music-making in 2021.

[@ds1868]

@R Jackson Although it is a shame, I think we can agree the result here is superb. The cohesion with a smaller ensemble of singers is stunning. The balance is perfect. This is helped no doubt by the lack of a congregation, which helps clarity.

[@rexgeorg7324]

What an enchanting performance

[@croftonbaptistchurchuk1909]

Haunting, stunning and beautiful! Reflects this particular Christmas perfectly.

[@roberttapken1139]

So beautiful! It brought tears to my old eyes> Thank you.

[@mona2242]

Absolutely sublime! So very grateful 🙏❤️🙏

[@robsmithpianoprogress3160]

Absolutely mesmerising. Love it.

[@tamaveirene]

ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL ! GOD BLESS ALL THE CHORISTERS AND THE CONDUCTOR AND ORGANIST!! LOVELY VISUALS TOO!!!!

[@alextilson5809]

Totally faultless and sung perfectly. It totally represented this awful year as Christmas was a very solitary occasion for many. Kings did a superb job of putting this together showing a selfless act at a time when everyone should have been celebrating. Seeing and listening just the quire singing in a empty church just magnified the music to a beautiful experiance.

[@aarontrill2251]

3:43 will always make me sob. There is so much tension in the vocal parts and the rising harmonies in the organ are so perfectly written. Not to mention the gorgeous acapella section leading up to the organ entrance. This is the most touching arrangement of the carol that exists to me, and the words are so beautiful as always

[@junetaylor8396]

Thank you and Merry Christmas to everybody from here in Canada. I always listen to King's carols and am greatly blessed

[@bluegrasslass]

My favourite Carol. In my early years we lived out in the Yorkshire countryside, and very deep snow was common. I loved singing this one in school.

[@adelesetten4706]

Thank you so much for this beautiful hymn, l can’t seem to stop listening to it God bless us every one

[@alfredroyal3473]

Verse 2 contains the finest and simplest words which sum it all up.

[@marklowen5998]

Reorganising this carol service last year, after some choral scholars contracted coronavirus, was a splendid effort. Many thanks to all for a much appreciated and moving service. God bless you all.

[@flothoejmand8452]

this is soooo beautiful, may it bring joy and relief !

[@geraldosborn6365]

Cambridge Grad 1986, Miss hearing this Choir live. This is indeed a melancholy Christmas / New Year's Season. Wishes to all for a much better and perhaps even joyous 2021. Dr. Gerald Osborn

[@nicolewatts5109]

Poignant and beautiful for a blue Christmas.

[@jamielawrence2515]

Blue means sad or down, hence the phrase “I’ve got the blues”.

[@Dana9437]

OMG. THE KING'S SINGERS!!!!!!

[@ladytenor9876]

This composition is a favorite of our choir and church. 💖🎼🎵🎶

[@jacquesverbrugghe3822]

Extraordinaire beauté de cette musique, profondeur musicale. Magnifique.

[@professormuro]

I concur, my friend. Not bad for English speakers (Lol)

[@rheailiarome2287]

This is one of my favorite Carols and it is beautifully sang here 🙏

[@Julia-rd3lv]

What a beautiful song. What can I give Him? Give Him my heart.

[@OrganGuyPhil]

Utter perfection. 🎶

[@domorganits3767]

so beautiful

[@jamboree2723]

A year has passed and we have not been able to get rid of Covid-19. Now the Omikron version is upon us, and God knows how much are going to follow. I find peace of mind in these Christmas Carols. May God bless you all. Have a merry Christmas 2021 and a happy new year.

[@largemale8129]

We follow Christ, not the Church of Covid. Unfortunately, they punish us for this. Oh well.

[@stuarthalliday7162]

This is a stunning arrangement of a very beautiful Christmas Carol

[@thehazzavlog8465]

This song will always bring back memories for me. I’m in a choir in the north of England and my first ever solo was the first verse of this song.

[@susanneflugel-hilb2242]

Wunderschön, vielen Dank dafür

[@Maswelo7052]

Hermoso no hay nada más que lo defina simplemente hermoso

[@hogwartsslytherin7605]

This.is the sound of the Church. Pleasing to Gods ears. As a Chorister as a boy it is no higher honnor..Let us raise a joyful noise' sing of praise....

[@givanilsonfernandes2638]

Maravilhoso, muito celestial.

[@thomastallerico6340]

Simply beautiful

[@celegwen]

overwhelming sense of peace whenever I listen to this, thank you so much

[@hughshrapnel4448]

Lovely to hear this arrangement to Holst's wonderfully haunting melody and beautifully sung. It so eloquently captures the mood of this sad and troubling year.

[@teacon7]

To answer bleak midwinters of fear/disease/death... this is exactly why the Son of God took on human nature and was born. Christian Christmas celebrates that God did not ignore us, but looked on us in our sorry state and came to rescue and redeem us. Jesus knew what it was like to be human. There is more than this miserable body and life, there is joy and hope in the resurrection Jesus came to bring. That joy and hope doesn't come from gathering sizes or gifts or comfortable aesthetic traditions, or even from a prolonged life here and now (as if you'd want to live for LONGER this way?). It comes from the holy and transcendant God reconciling you to Himself, and raising you again after this life is over. If you think the message from this song is powerful, wait until you hear about Easter Sunday. This song is beautiful, beautifully performed, and a credit to those who pulled it off (I wonder if there were acoustic/reverb challenges to the recording because there were less people in the room? hmmm) Thank you for doing it, and KEEP SINGING. :)

[@bornforbanning]

I think many of the albums recorded in the chapel have been done when it was quite empty. The fine recording engineers at the BBC are among the best in the business and can probably resolve that through skilled microphone placement

[@jerrysmith8421]

What more to say? Very eloquently stated. From beautiful Eastern Texas, amen. ws

[@LESBIANANDAUTISTIC]

I'm an atheist and proud of it. I only like Christmas because of ancient European music and beautiful decorations. Nothing can change my mind.

[@jasminethompson5475]

This choir embodies the true spirit of Christmas ...such a joy to listen to.....

[@Jabberstax]

Beautiful 🖤

[@reneesarojinisaklikar8686]

Listening. Again.

[@shirleycook6402]

Thank you very much for your reply whoever you are!! Must have been heartbreaking for them to miss out on so much wonderful singing this year. There was one who sang recently a solo to a beautiful piece on Facebook. He has been in the choir for a long time. Then the beautiful blond boy who sang o holy night with Steven Cleobury so movingly. Finally the lad with glasses who was so musical-didn’t seem that he had been there long. Perhaps they leave for other reasons. I LOVE Kings! Thank you for the sublime music!! Xxxx

[@philipcurtis8548]

Miss singing in the choir so much!!

[@paulcooper8335]

For years I sang the last line of this wrong: "Yet what can I give Him...?" Was it minor dyslexia? Was I scanning the lyrics too quickly so I could drop down to sing the bass line? Then it dawned on me. It isn't a question at all. "Yet what I can I give Him..." is an affirmation. He isn't interested in our tangible treasures. He wants our hearts.

[@myonlyolaf]

What a beautiful statement. Happy New Years.

[@williamfrank7565]

excellent observation...the question becomes a statement by the simple juggle of the I and can....as a musician.... it is the little things...

[@grizzlymrbobo]

The fact you no it’s a affirmation tells you don’t have dyslexia

[@mamsamiad6144]

And it's almost Christmas yet new year again with your lovefull words that I too love☺️

[@LESBIANANDAUTISTIC]

I'm an atheist, and only like carols for aesthetic reasons. And I prefer the Harold Darke melody. This one is sad.

[@susansantapola]

That was just fabulous.

[@jimmymack4079]

I love this version. I listen now to it for my friend my dearest friend Lynn, who died this year, and has no memorial

[@NP-ui3tr]

I’m so sorry to hear that, dear Peace and love from the US ❤️🎄

[@tomarmstrong1281]

Some things are just perfect. As a small boy I sang the solo verse of this carol in our church choir. I never really realised or attached much significance to the event at the time. Now as an old man, I believe deeply that if all children lived a similar experience their lives and attitudes to life would be subtlety altered for the better.

[@J.LEGO2024]

Het mooiste lied dat ik ooit heb gehoord 1:06 1:07 1:08 1:08 1:08 1:08 1:09 1:09 1:09 1:10 1:10

[@J.LEGO2024]

1:39 1:45 1:47 😮😮 1:54 zijn mooi!!

[@chikibongbongbong8475]

I'm not religious but I love listening to hymns. Music can really touch the soul and I love the sincerity and devotion you can hear in hymns.

[@Jabberstax]

I'm the same, do enjoy the beauty in the music, art and architecture of Christianity

[@LESBIANANDAUTISTIC]

I'm not religious either. I just like art and architecture. And I love, love, looooove music. But I fervently prefer the Harold Darke melody for this carol. Cranham is such a sad melody.

[@Dulcimertunes]

Thank you for this gift. Faith over fear!

[@idaliajimenez9241]

Marvelous!!

[@emuoboagbahovbe4141]

So beautiful!

[@lashlarue7924]

Mack Daddy Wilberg strikes again with a mack daddy arrangement!

[@alanvonau278]

Thank you for sharing the music of Christmastide! Greetings from the United States.

[@jamielawrence2515]

One of the most beautiful things I’ve heard, magic.

[@Richie016]

An illustration of dedicated service to God's appreciation through well-sung carols.