Get all 5 Albion Choir releases available on Bandcamp and save 35%.
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Albion's Anti-Covid Fundraiser, In Cloudless Sunshine, Sheffield's Choral Celebration - live, These Islands, and Salutation.
1. |
Advent Antiphons
03:05
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O Wisdom, which camest out of the mouth of the Most High, and reachest from one end to another mightily, and sweetly ordering all things: Come and teach us the way of prudence.
O Adonaï, and leader of the House of Israel, who appearedst in the bush to Moses in a flame of fire, and gavest him the law in Sinai: Come and deliver us with an outstretched arm.
O Root of Jesse, which standest for an ensign of the people; at whom kings shall shut their mouths, to whom the Gentiles shall seek: Come and deliver us, and tarry not.
O Key of David, and Sceptre of the House of Israel, that openest and no man shutteth, and shuttest and no man openeth: Come and bring the prisoner out of the prison house, and him that sitteth in darkness and the shadow of death.
O Dayspring, Brightness of Light everlasting, and Sun of righteousness: Come and enlighten him that sitteth in darkness and the shadow of death.
O King of the nations, and their Desire, the Cornerstone, who makest both one: Come and save mankind, whom thou formedst of old.
O Emmanuel, our king and lawgiver, the Desire of all nations and their Salvation: Come and save us, O Lord our God.
O come, O come, Emmanuel!
Redeem thy captive Israel,
That into exile drear is gone,
Far from the face of God’s dear Son.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
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2. |
The Angel Gabriel
03:47
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The Angel Gabriel from heaven came,
His wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame;
“All hail,” said he, “thou lowly maiden Mary,
Most highly favoured lady,” Gloria!
“For known a blessed mother thou shalt be,
All generations laud and honour thee;
Thy Son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold,
Most highly favoured lady.” Gloria!
Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head,
“To me be as it pleaseth God,” she said,
“My soul shall laud and magnify his holy Name.”
Most highly favoured lady, Gloria!
Of her Emmanuel, the Christ, was born
In Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn,
And Christian folk throughout the world will ever say—
“Most highly favoured lady,” Gloria!
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3. |
Salutation
03:04
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Nowell, nowell, nowell:
This is the salutation of the Angel Gabriel.
Tidings true there be come new
Sent from the Trinity
By Gabriel to Nazareth, city of Galilee.
A clean maiden, a pure virgin, by her humility
Shall now conceive the Person Second in Deity.
When that he presented was
Before her fair visage,
In most demure and goodly wise
He did to her homage;
And said, “Lady, from heaven so high.
That Lordes heritage,
For he of thee now born will be,
I'm sent on his message.
“Hail, Virgin celestial, The meek'st that ever was!
Hail, temple of the Deity!
Hail, mirror of all grace!
Hail, Virgin pure! I thee ensure,
Within a little space
Thou shalt conceive, and him receive
That shall bring great solace.”
Then bespake the Maid again
And answered womanly,
“Whate'er my Lord commandeth me
I will obey truly.”
With “Ecce sum humilima ancilla Domini;
Secundum verbum tuum,” She said, “Fiat mihi.”
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4. |
The Truth from Above
03:51
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This is the truth sent from above,
The truth of God, the God of love;
Therefore don’t turn me from your door,
But hearken all, both rich and poor.
The first thing which I do relate:
That God at first did man create;
The next thing which to you I’ll tell:
Woman was made with him to dwell.
Then after this, ‘twas God’s own choice
To place them both in Paradise,
But they did eat the fruit of sin,
And thus their ruin did begin;
Thus he in love to us behaved,
To show us how we must be saved;
And if you want to know the way
Be pleased to hear what he did say.
Go preach the Gospel new, he said,
To all the nations that are made,
And he that does believe in me,
From all his sins I’ll set him free.
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5. |
Away in a Manger
03:10
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Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,
But little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.
I love thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky,
And stay by my side until morning is nigh.
Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask thee to stay
Close by me forever, and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,
And fit us for heaven, to live with thee there.
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6. |
The Sussex Carol
01:56
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On Christmas night all Christians sing
To hear the news the angels bring;
News of great joy, news of great mirth,
News of our merciful King's birth.
Then why should men on earth be so sad
Since our Redeemer made us glad?
When from our sin he set us free
All for to gain our liberty!
When sin departs before his grace,
Then life and health come in its place;
Angels and men with joy may sing,
All for to see the new-born King.
All out of darkness we have light
Which made the angels sing this night:
‘Glory to God and peace to men
Now and for ever more. Amen!’
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Albion Choir
The music of "these islands" - folksongs, madrigals, chant, and anthems from the British Isles (and beyond) - reimagined through new arrangements and compositions in the unique choral sound of Albion.
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