Andy Davis composed the tune and made the arrangement for Villagers All, the carol which gives us our title for this CD. From Kenneth Grahame’s classic The Wind in the Willows, it is sung by the field-mice at Mole End in Chapter 5. Andy introduced it at a rehearsal and we were all blown away. John was the first to recover enough to say “I want to sing it!”, and fortunately it was in his key.
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Villagers all, this frosty tide
Let your doors swing open wide
Though wind may follow, and snow beside
Yet draw us in by your fire to bide
Joy shall be yours in the morning
Here we stand in the cold and sleet
Blowing fingers and stamping feet
Come from far away you to greet
You by the fire and we in the street
Bidding you joy in the morning
Ere one half of the night was gone
Sudden a star has led us on
Raining bliss and benison
Bliss to-morrow and more anon
Joy every morning!
Goodman Joseph toiled through the snow
Saw the star o’er a stable low
Mary she might not further go
Welcome thatch, and litter below
Joy was hers in the morning
Then they heard the angels tell
Who were the first to cry Nowell
Animals all, as it befell,
In the stable where they did dwell
Joy shall be theirs in the morning
Joy shall be yours in the morning
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