Not sure how many times I’ve reposted it, but here it is again.
Voices intertwine
to manifest the divine
direct interface
I’ll be posting my spotify holiday playlist tomorrow morning.
per wikipedia:
Steeleye Span are an English folk rock band formed in 1969. Still active today, they are, along with Fairport Convention, amongst the best known acts of the British folk revival, and were among the most commercially successful, thanks to their hit singles “Gaudete” and “All Around My Hat”. They had four Top 40 albums and achieved a certified gold record with sales of “All Around My Hat”.
I wrote about a cover of one of Steeleye Span’s songs last year. Read about it here.
Gaudete (“rejoice [ye]” in Latin) is a sacred Christmas carol, thought to have been composed in the 16th century. It was published in Piae Cantiones, a collection of Finnish/Swedish sacred songs published in 1581. No music is given for the verses, but the standard tune comes from older liturgical books.
The Latin text is a typical medieval song of praise, which follows the standard pattern for the time – a uniform series of four-line stanzas, each preceded by a two-line refrain (in the early English carol this was known as the burden). Carols could be on any subject, but typically they were about the Virgin Mary, the Saints or Yuletide themes.
Steeleye Span had a hit in 1973 (No. 14, UK singles chart) with an a cappella recording of the song. Guitarist Bob Johnson had heard it when he attended a folk-carol service with his father-in-law in Cambridge and brought it to the attention of the rest of the band. (Unlike the album version which fades up slowly and fades down slowly, the single was at the same volume for the entire length of the song.)
“Gaudete” is one of only three top 50 British hits to be sung fully in Latin. It is also one of only a handful of a cappella performances to become hit singles.
Gaudete, gaudete, Christus est natus
Ex Maria virgine, gaudete
Gaudete, gaudete, Christus est natus
Ex Maria virgine, gaudete
Tempus adest gratiae, hoc quod optabamus
Carmina laetitiae devote redamus
Gaudete, gaudete, Christus est natus
Ex Maria virgine, gaudete
Gaudete, gaudete, Christus est natus
Ex Maria virgine, gaudete
Deus homo factus est natura mirante
Mundus renovatus est a Christo regnante
Gaudete, gaudete, Christus est natus
Ex Maria virgine, gaudete
Gaudete, gaudete, Christus est natus
Ex Maria virgine, gaudete
Ezechielis porta clausa per transitur
Unde lux est orta salus invenitur
Gaudete, gaudete, Christus est natus
Ex Maria virgine, gaudete
Gaudete, gaudete, Christus est natus
Ex Maria virgine, gaudete
Ergo nostra cantio psallat iam in lustro
Benedicat domino salus regi nostro
Gaudete, gaudete, Christus est natus
Ex Maria virgine, gaudete
Gaudete, gaudete, Christus est natus
Ex Maria virgine, gaudete
English translation found here.
Tao Talk 
One of my favourites, especially when writing.
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So cool, Cage.
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It is way too early for Christmas, but a nice song anyway.
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I think Baby Jesus needs to visit early this year and work a few miracles to get us out of this mess. Glad you like the song.
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Never heard this one Lisa…At first glance I thought it was Steely Dan…then I played it lol. The harmonizing is great on this.
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Their singing reminds me of monks. It’s such a spiritual sound…
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It’s a comfort feeling to it…easing.
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I used to have Steeleye Span albums way back when, and this song was a favorite.
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I can see why, Merril. I just ordered one of their albums and am looking forward to sitting back and enjoying it.
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Oh I love this song! I have no idea where my CD is though (like Merril I also had the record way back when)…thanks for the history (K)
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My pleasure, K!
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Too early for Christmas but wonderful, has its own atmosphere. I’m not a big fan of a cappella, but that’s great. A traditional song from the 16th century sung entirely in Latin.
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Thank you, a friend posted it, I listened and decided to share it — then bought the album it was on. The whole album is really good.
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Steeleye Span was one of the most famous British groups that linked folklore to pop. They had some nice songs like “Thomas The Rhymer” or “Black Jack Davy”. “All Around My Hat” is also unique in its mixture of a cappella, Irish folk and rock.
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Love it!
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:)
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I absolutely love this recording. I put on the good headphones for this! And turned up the volume. (And the soprano solo reminds me of The Snowman.) Merry Christmas, Lisa.
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Steve it’s earned that extra effort and imagining it sounds celestial listened to like that. Merry Christmas. Hoping you’re staying warm over there across the big lake.
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One of my favorite podcasts “A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs” just did a Patreon bonus episode on this song. I’m very familiar with the carol but hadn’t heard the Steeleye Span take before. Actually, I know very little about Steeleye Span but need to check out more of their music (and Fairport Convention and Pentangle too).
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Glad you know it and happy you’re expanding your view of it. I know more FC than the other 2 groups but like them all.
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I love it.
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:)
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Another fave – I sure enjoy their music.
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I forgot this one when I listed Christmas music that I’ll listen to even if it’s not Christmas. As you noted, a chart hit in Latin and a cappella is quite a feat. I didn’t realize until now that it didn’t chart in the US. I remember it getting airplay. I guess it just didn’t sell – neither the single nor the album “Below the Salt” charted in the US. I guess the folks I hung out with were not the mainstream.
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What a gorgeous song- those harmonies!
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