Sally DeFord Music
   What's New?   Site Map   Search   Help   FAQ   Contact Me

When the Son of God Was Born

2006 Christmas Card Carol

MP3 Recording featuring vocals by Marc Johnson and Leilani Toloa Johnson :   Hi-speed    Dialup    Download    CD: If I Had Been in Bethlehem
MP3 Accompaniment track :   Hi-speed    Dialup    Download    CD: If I Had Been in Bethlehem--Accompaniment Tracks

View/print sheet music:     Solo (Medium)     Solo (Low)     SAB     Duet (mezzo/tenor)     SSAA

    Someone once said that Christmas is the favorite holiday of children because there are elements of it that appeal to all the senses... brilliant colors; big, thick, soft sugar cookies; crinkley wrapping paper; big, thick, soft sugar cookies; the smell of evergreen and cinnamon; big, thick, soft sugar cookies...

    I admit to a rather juvenile (and unhealthy) liking for big, thick, soft sugar cookies, along with all the other sights and smells and tastes... and especially     sounds of the Christmas season. I love the jingle of bells; the sound of my husband's voice reading from Dickens; the knock on the door immediately followed by the voices of carolers. The first time our organist plays "The First Noel" or "Joy to the World" for prelude it can bring me to tears.

    The hymns and carols of Christmas are among the most beautiful music on earth, so I feel almost presumptuous adding to them. But Christmas sets the world a-singing, and I'm no exception. This simple song, my 2006 Christmas Card Carol, is my humble contribution to the sounds of the season.

    Note: This carol is offered in several keys and voicings, but not specifically as a high-voice solo. If you're looking for a higher version for solo voice, just use the SSAA accompaniment.

      Lyrics:

      In the darkness o'er Judea
      In the silence of the night
      As Bethlehem lay dreaming
      'neath the still and starry skies
      Holy angels came rejoicing
      Bright with glory like the dawn
      And set the heavens singing
      When the Son of God was born

      In the darkness o'er Judea
      Newly kindled o'er the earth
      A wondrous star was gleaming
      To proclaim Messiah's birth
      And as wise men came a-seeking
      Heaven's light went on before
      And set their hearts a-singing
      When the Son of God was born

      In the shadows of a stable
      In a manger, sweet with hay
      The Holy Child lay sleeping
      E'er the coming of the day
      And the light of love descending
      'Round the cradle of the Lord
      Set the world a-singing
      When the Son of God was born