Very nice, James, and in the Sacred Harp tradition to boot! I've always felt the Waltham tune to be excessively saccharine and doesn't pair at all with vv3-4. Between the 2d and 3d verses are four more that tend to be omitted, yet are part of Longfellow's original poem, for which Waltham would be IMO a horrid tune to use; I've numbered them here per Longfellow's original poem: 3. Till ringing, singing on its way, The world revolved from night to day, A voice, a chime, A chant sublime Of peace on earth, good-will to men! 4. Then from each black, accursed mouth The cannon thundered in the South, And with the sound The carols drowned Of peace on earth, good-will to men! 5. It was as if an earthquake rent The hearth-stones of a continent, And made forlorn The households born Of peace on earth, good-will to men! 6. And in despair I bowed my head; "There is no peace on earth," I said; "For hate is strong, And mocks the song Of peace on earth, good-will to men!" 7. Then pealed the bells, &c.
Very nice, James, and in the Sacred Harp tradition to boot! I've always felt the Waltham tune to be excessively saccharine and doesn't pair at all with vv3-4.
Between the 2d and 3d verses are four more that tend to be omitted, yet are part of Longfellow's original poem, for which Waltham would be IMO a horrid tune to use; I've numbered them here per Longfellow's original poem:
3. Till ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime,
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
4. Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
5. It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
6. And in despair I bowed my head;
"There is no peace on earth," I said;
"For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"
7. Then pealed the bells, &c.