American Carols
American Carols is a collection of original settings of lesser known Christmas songs for either treble chorus or SATB chorus with full orchestra accompaniment. Thirteen American shape note, African-American and white spirituals, and folk melodies from the 1860s and earlier are assembled in this collection. The goal in setting them was to present the texts and the melodies in a form which would reflect the roots and spirit of the originals in a contemporary framework. As a result, the orchestrations neither attempt to be traditional folk representations nor are they intended to supplant or overwhelm the historic material with current techniques, but are timeless settings in keeping with the simple, sturdy nature of the songs themselves.
American Carols, by William Berry
I. Prelude
II. Happy Children
III. Heavenly Dove/The Blooming Wilderness
IV. As Joseph Was A-Walking
V. Weeping Mary
VI. Oh Jerus’lem in the Morning!
VII. Jesus Born in Bethlea
VIII. Sister Mary
IX. O, Poor Little Jesus
X. Shepherds Rejoice
XI. Brightest and Best
XII. The Seven Joys of Mary
XIII. The Royal Band
I. Prelude
II. Happy Children
III. Heavenly Dove/The Blooming Wilderness
IV. As Joseph Was A-Walking
V. Weeping Mary
VI. Oh Jerus’lem in the Morning!
VII. Jesus Born in Bethlea
VIII. Sister Mary
IX. O, Poor Little Jesus
X. Shepherds Rejoice
XI. Brightest and Best
XII. The Seven Joys of Mary
XIII. The Royal Band