The other Christmas song from Five Australian Christmas Carols, that was used in Praise to God, is the well known – in Australia – song, “Carol of the Birds”.
Like “The Three Drovers”, his song has words by John Wheeler and music by William G. James. It is also mentioned in the bemused article that I noted yesterday – it confused their correspondent.
It should not, as here we are merely adding our voices to the song of the “bushbirds” rejoicing in the birth of the Saviour. What could be simpler. You’ll hear this mainly by choirs or in schools. I’m afraid traditional Christmas carols are the go here, or risk the ire of the assembly who want to sing them.
Looking at this sheet music, it is identical to that in PTG – they just squashed it onto one page, so they have just copied and pasted. This practice leads to the messiness of this collection, with many different styles, unlike the informity of AOV for example. Even though their hand written style for their own arrangements is not the most user friendly, as a consistent style across all the pieces, it would have made more sense.
Well, making backings in 6/8 in BIAB isn’t always simple as yesterday and today’s backings demonstrate. I don’t like switching to waltz time but the results are rarely great in 6/8, so perhaps I should have.
1 Out on the plains, the brolgas are dancing.
Lifting their feet like horses prancing.
Up to the sun, the woodlarks go winging.
Faint in the dawn light echoes their singing.Refrain
Orana! Orana! Orana to Christmas Day!2 Down where the tree ferns grow by the river.
There where the waters sparkle and quiver.
Deep in the gullies, bellbirds are chiming.
Softly and sweetly their lyric notes rhyming.Refrain
3 Friarbirds sip the nectar of flowers.
Currawongs chant in wattle-tree bowers.
In the blue ranges lorikeets calling.
Carols of bush birds are rising and falling.Refrain