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Tell Shepherds

from The Wexford Carols by Caitríona O'Leary

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    Beautifully designed hardbound digibook with lyrics, historical articles and notes.

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about

From the Devereux Garland, this carol is no longer sung in Wexford and its tune has been lost. I have paired it with the traditional Irish tune known variously as “Corraga Bawn”, “Carolan’s Cup” and “The Foggy Dew”.

lyrics

Tell shepherds and did your flock stray, Or where have you been this long night, Strange visions woke me before day,
I thought it unusually bright;
Especially over yonder stall,
Where my Ox and my Ass I do keep, I hastened to see for my all,
It’s dawn go and look for your sheep;
Be still yourself man they did reply
Your cattle are safe at their hay.
Our charge at Tour-Ader hard by
This morn tho in winter is like May. And since you seem thus far concern’d, Come hither we’ll further disclose,
The wonders this night we have learned, Which happily broke our repose.
Twas midnight, the shepherds went on, We knew by the pointers and Bear,
A brightness amazing round us shone An angel amidst did appear.
Fear not, quoth he, I bring you glad news, A saviour in Bethlehem just born; Messias, Christ, King of the Jews,
All Nations shall hear of this Morn.
The truth of all this you will know, A babe in a manger you’ll find,
As soon as to town you shall go, Safely leave ye your flocks behind; On a sudden we heard and we saw, A host of sweet musick from heaven, Glory to god on high they gave, Peace to well minded sons of Men;
No sooner the vision did cease,
And we were well able to crawl,
We hastened to the mentioned place, And found it all true in your stall; Your Ox and your Ass were amazed, To warm soft breathing stood o’er,
At the Mother and Infant they gazed, More glory than we saw before.
The shepherds went back to Pen-Ader, The other went back to his stall,
To tell you how they behaved after,
In truth I know nothing at all;
The Infant is now King of glory,
Thro’ the world most renowned of men, Ye have oft heard the rest of the story,
I wish you a good Christmass, amen.

credits

from The Wexford Carols, released November 18, 2014
Caitríona O'Leary, lead vocals

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Caitriona O'Leary

Caitríona is known for her performances of Early Music and Traditional Irish song. She has recorded over twenty critically acclaimed albums. The Wexford Carols with Tom Jones, Rosanne Cash, and Rhiannon Giddens, reached #1 on Billboard.

She has performed at Royal Albert Hall, Lincoln Center, Radio City Music Hall, Halle Handel Festival, Beethovenfest Bonn, Utrecht Early Music Festival, etc. ... more

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