The word 'carole' has it origins in ancient ring dances of May and midsummer festivals. The 'carole' or 'carola' was the most documented form of dance during the Middle Ages, especially from the 12th and 13th centuries in Western Europe.
The carole consisted of a group of dancers holding hands usually in a circle singing in a leader and refrain style. The carole was performed in rural and court settings.
For my arrangement I modulated the musical harmonies and texture to enhance the spring smell, sight and sound depictions found in the text. My musical treatment comes from the Maypole "ribbon dance" wherein each dancer holds a different colored ribbon attached to the pole. As the dance commences the ribbons are intertwined and plaited either on to the pole itself or in a web around the pole. For me the 'colored ribbons' are harmonies and the 'intertwining' is adding or subtracting the different choral parts.
Text:
What is this fragrance round us flowing?
People, its might you cannot miss!
Even in spring when buds are blowing,
Know you a perfume sweet as this?
What is this fragrance round us flowing?
People, its might you cannot miss!
What is that light, so brightly gleaming,
Piercing the dull and darksome night?
When did the sun at noonday beaming
Shine with a radiance half so bright?
What is that light, so brightly gleaming
Piercing the dull and darksome night?
Hark from the skies what wondrous singing,
Floating upon the midnight air!
Nearer it comes, more clearly ringing,
Never was heard a song so fair!
Hark from the skies what wondrous singing,
Floating upon the midnight air!
Praise we the Lord who made all beauty
For all our senses to enjoy,
Give we our humble thanks and duty
That simple pleasures never cloy,
Praise we the Lord who made all beauty,
For all our senses to enjoy.