countertony.org.uk

21 December - A New Year Carol

It's a dark, wet December morning, bit it's also the turning-point of the year. A couple of days ago was the earliest sunset of the year, and a couple of days hence will be the latest sunrise, but between the two the days start getting longer from today.

For us, 2020 could have been worse - the impact of the spring lockdown was blunted by our move into a new home, which gave us plenty to do, and we are both in jobs that meant we could move to home working without too much disruption. We've been lucky. But even we are only too glad to "turn the old year go", and hope that 2021 will be a Happy New Year for all.

Music: Benjamin Britten
Words: Traditional Welsh
Musicians: Kathleen Jowitt, Tony Evershed

Here we bring new water from the well so clear,
For to worship God with, this happy New Year.

Sing levy-dew, sing levy-dew, the water and the wine,
The seven bright gold wires and the bugles that do shine.

Sing reign of Fair Maid, with gold upon her toe;
Open you the West Door and turn the Old Year go.

Sing levy-dew, sing levy-dew, the water and the wine,
The seven bright gold wires and the bugles that do shine.

Sing reign of Fair Maid, with gold upon her chin;
Open you the East Door and let the New Year in.

Sing levy-dew, sing levy-dew, the water and the wine,
The seven bright gold wires and the bugles that do shine.