"Good-Will to Men and Peace on Earth" by Dobrinka Tabakova: Chorus Angelorum Chattanooga

“In this carol... I wanted to retain some liturgical mystery, but add another, more playful element... The general mood is that of a contemporary round. The words dictated the rhythm of the carol, which I initially wrote in a stream of changing time signatures. I hope that the lack of time signatures will put emphasis on phrasing rather than rhythm.”
Tabakova, BBC Music 2018
Behold a lucid Light appears,
Which brightens all the eastern sky,
Hark, hark what sounds salute our ears,
All glory give to God on high.
“Good-will to men, and peace on earth,”
The Heav’nly Choirs united cry
At the Divine Redeemer’s birth;
And glory be to God on high.
Let mortals catch the sacred flame,
Till round the world the song shall fly
Which sounds the Great Redeemer’s Name
And glory give to God on high.
This piece was part of a service of "A Festival of nine Lessons and Carols" presented by Chorus Angelorum Chattanooga. The nine lessons told as a part of this service walk through the Christmas story, from Earth's creation to the arrival of the Magi to witness the birth of Jesus Christ in the manger. Each choral carol and congregational hymn is meant to accentuate the stories told through these lessons, and to inspire joy and wonderment in the miracle of the Christmas story.
To support Chorus Angelorum, our music, and our community please visit chorusangelorumchatt.com/give-today