Noel by J.R.R. Tolkien Grim was the world and grey last night: The moon and stars were fled, The hall was dark without song or light, The fires were fallen dead. The wind in the trees was like to the sea, And over the mountains’ teeth It whistled bitter-cold and free, As a sword leapt from its sheath. The lord of snows upreared his head; His mantle long and pale Upon the bitter blast was spread And hung o’er hill and dale. The world was blind, the boughs were bent, All ways and paths were wild: Then the veil of cloud apart was rent, And here was born a Child. The ancient dome of heaven sheer Was pricked with distant light; A star came shining white and clear Alone above the night. In the dale of dark in that hour of birth One voice on a sudden sang: Then all the bells in Heaven and Earth Together at midnight rang. Mary sang in this world below: They heard her song arise O’er mist and over mountain snow To the walls of Paradise, And the tongue of many bells was stirred in Heaven’s towers to ring When the voice of mortal maid was heard, That was mother of Heaven’s King. Glad is the world and fair this night With stars about its head, And the hall is filled with laughter and light, And fires are burning red. The bells of Paradise now ring With bells of Christendom, And Gloria, Gloria we will sing That God on earth is come.
Thank you so much for this truly sublime carol, and for posting the full poetic text here as well. What a wondrous gift to discover on this "4th Day of Christmas"! Your music is such a blessing, all through the year. 🙏🏼✨🕯✨🙏🏼 💛
Grim was the world and grey last night: The moon and stars were fled, The hall was dark without song or light, The fires were fallen dead. The wind in the trees was like to the sea, And over the mountains’ teeth It whistled bitter-cold and free, As a sword leapt from its sheath. The lord of snows upreared his head; His mantle long and pale Upon the bitter blast was spread And hung o’er hill and dale. The world was blind, the boughs were bent, All ways and paths were wild: Then the veil of cloud apart was rent, And here was born a Child. The ancient dome of heaven sheer Was pricked with distant light; A star came shining white and clear Alone above the night. In the dale of dark in that hour of birth One voice on a sudden sang: Then all the bells in Heaven and Earth Together at midnight rang. Mary sang in this world below: They heard her song arise O’er mist and over mountain snow To the walls of Paradise, And the tongue of many bells was stirred in Heaven’s towers to ring When the voice of mortal maid was heard, That was mother of Heaven’s King. Glad is the world and fair this night With stars about its head, And the hall is filled with laughter and light, And fires are burning red. The bells of Paradise now ring With bells of Christendom, And Gloria, Gloria we will sing That God on earth is come.
It’s based Tolkien that wrote one of the most chilling Christmas poems at such a young age - it’s clear that the spirit of God was at work in his mother, his pastor, and his saintly benefactor who unbeknownst to him, would bring forth through his tutelage one of the greatest authors. God bless JRR Tolkien Thanks be to God for St. John Henry Newman, the founder of the oratory that raised Tolkien after his mother’s death
Grim was the world and grey last night: The moon and stars were fled, The hall was dark without song or light, The fires were fallen dead. The wind in the trees was like to the sea, And over the mountains’ teeth It whistled bitter-cold and free, As a sword leapt from its sheath. The lord of snows upreared his head; His mantle long and pale Upon the bitter blast was spread And hung o’er hill and dale. The world was blind, the boughs were bent, All ways and paths were wild: Then the veil of cloud apart was rent, And here was born a Child. The ancient dome of heaven sheer Was pricked with distant light; A star came shining white and clear Alone above the night. In the dale of dark in that hour of birth One voice on a sudden sang: Then all the bells in Heaven and Earth Together at midnight rang. Mary sang in this world below: They heard her song arise O’er mist and over mountain snow To the walls of Paradise, And the tongue of many bells was stirred in Heaven’s towers to ring When the voice of mortal maid was heard, That was mother of Heaven’s King. Glad is the world and fair this night With stars about its head, And the hall is filled with laughter and light, And fires are burning red. The bells of Paradise now ring With bells of Christendom, And Gloria, Gloria we will sing That God on earth is come.
Wow, I would place this next to "In the Bleak Midwinter" in terms of melodic quality and the depth and beauty of the lyrics. We need more of this kind of composition.
Noel by J.R.R. Tolkien Grim was the world and grey last night: The moon and stars were fled, The hall was dark without song or light, The fires were fallen dead. The wind in the trees was like to the sea, And over the mountains’ teeth It whistled bitter-cold and free, As a sword leapt from its sheath. The lord of snows upreared his head; His mantle long and pale Upon the bitter blast was spread And hung o’er hill and dale. The world was blind, the boughs were bent, All ways and paths were wild: Then the veil of cloud apart was rent, And here was born a Child. The ancient dome of heaven sheer Was pricked with distant light; A star came shining white and clear Alone above the night. In the dale of dark in that hour of birth One voice on a sudden sang: Then all the bells in Heaven and Earth Together at midnight rang. Mary sang in this world below: They heard her song arise O’er mist and over mountain snow To the walls of Paradise, And the tongue of many bells was stirred in Heaven’s towers to ring When the voice of mortal maid was heard, That was mother of Heaven’s King. Glad is the world and fair this night With stars about its head, And the hall is filled with laughter and light, And fires are burning red. The bells of Paradise now ring With bells of Christendom, And Gloria, Gloria we will sing That God on earth is come
That was absolutely beautiful. Wonderful harmonies. The imagery of Tolkien's poem is so unique. The Christmas story interwoven with Middle Earth, coupled with this melody, are outstanding.
This is so MAGNIFICENT! The church is so beautiful. The poem Noel by Tolkien is so mystical and one of my favorites. Thank you so much! This is the BEST CHRISTMAS present!!!!
Its continually amazing to me - that in the Lords infinite, immutable mercy and love for us - He lifts up the legacy of His departed faithful in order so that all can be saved and hear the good news. Merry Christmas to all and behold, the intercessory power granted by the Lord!✝️❤️
I love Tolkien and LotR and everything he’s put out. With all due respect, the tune reminds me somewhat of the Carol of the Huron Indians. It’s a Canadian Christmas carol.
The Huron Carol is to the tune of a 17th century French carol, "Une Jeune Pucelle," (1557) which obviously was a favorite of St. Jean de Brebeuf, the lyricist. The tune was earlier known as an Italian dance song, "La Monica," which was also called by various names in German sources.
I love the universality and diversity of our Catholic Faith - American Indians, French, Italian, German, etc. Praised be Jesus Christ, now and forever, to all the ends of the Earth. Verbum caro factum est! Viva Christo Rey!
Wonderful! I've dreamed of someone doing a musical interpretation of this for years and you guys surpassed my wildest expectation by a lot. Straight onto the playlist.
I was thinking the same thing. St. Jean de Brebeuf, who wrote the original Huron words of the carol, set it to an adapted French folk tune, “Une Jeune Pucelle.” I wonder if this is another version of that melody.
Absolutely Beautiful. We have 3 homeschooled young boys. Would there be any way we could buy access to the score of this so my husband and boys can sing it for Grandparents? I only saw a purchase of the recording download on their website.
Thank you so much. This is so beautiful. A moving, simple, unaggressive, profound and therefore very fitting polyphony that carries and amplifies the words. Could you please make the song available on Apple Music and Spotify? Thank you in advance. Merry Christmas!
it's lovely, but the next time you sing in the sanctuary, could you please address the King by facing Him instead of having your backs to Him in the tabernacle ?
Jesus is the most important, yes! But whether you are referring to the church's statues and artwork, or the lyrics of the song, the reason for honoring Mary in this way is A) because without her cooperation with God, Jesus would not have taken on flesh to save the world, and B) she is the Mother of God, and we are called to honor our mothers and fathers. In regards to A, it's easy to overlook her participation in salvation, but it's important to remember that God did not force her to take on this tremendous responsibility-she could have refused it! But instead, she gave her consent, and because of this God was made man.
This entire song and video is about Jesus. Every single word and event happening in the poem is all swirling in on the central, pivotal heart of it - the cloud is rent, the star appears, the voice of The Woman sings; the bells of paradise ring, the bells of earth respond, and the world is filled with laughter and light and song… because God on earth is come. Jesus is absolutely the most important, central theme of the poem/song; demonstrated by the fact that the entire poem builds to the final line - which is the Reason for everything that comes before it. Though His name is not spoken, Jesus fills the entire poem from start to finish.
Noel
by J.R.R. Tolkien
Grim was the world and grey last night:
The moon and stars were fled,
The hall was dark without song or light,
The fires were fallen dead.
The wind in the trees was like to the sea,
And over the mountains’ teeth
It whistled bitter-cold and free,
As a sword leapt from its sheath.
The lord of snows upreared his head;
His mantle long and pale
Upon the bitter blast was spread
And hung o’er hill and dale.
The world was blind,
the boughs were bent,
All ways and paths were wild:
Then the veil of cloud apart was rent,
And here was born a Child.
The ancient dome of heaven sheer
Was pricked with distant light;
A star came shining white and clear
Alone above the night.
In the dale of dark in that hour of birth
One voice on a sudden sang:
Then all the bells in Heaven and Earth
Together at midnight rang.
Mary sang in this world below:
They heard her song arise
O’er mist and over mountain snow
To the walls of Paradise,
And the tongue of many bells was stirred
in Heaven’s towers to ring
When the voice of mortal maid was heard,
That was mother of Heaven’s King.
Glad is the world and fair this night
With stars about its head,
And the hall is filled with laughter and light,
And fires are burning red.
The bells of Paradise now ring
With bells of Christendom,
And Gloria, Gloria we will sing
That God on earth is come.
Amazing
Thank you so much for this truly sublime carol, and for posting the full poetic text here as well. What a wondrous gift to discover on this "4th Day of Christmas"! Your music is such a blessing, all through the year. 🙏🏼✨🕯✨🙏🏼 💛
Anything from Tolkien, automatically speaks to a man's soul.
Amen! I agree completely.
Grim was the world and grey last night: The moon and stars were fled, The hall was dark without song or light, The fires were fallen dead. The wind in the trees was like to the sea, And over the mountains’ teeth It whistled bitter-cold and free, As a sword leapt from its sheath.
The lord of snows upreared his head; His mantle long and pale Upon the bitter blast was spread And hung o’er hill and dale. The world was blind, the boughs were bent, All ways and paths were wild: Then the veil of cloud apart was rent, And here was born a Child.
The ancient dome of heaven sheer Was pricked with distant light; A star came shining white and clear Alone above the night. In the dale of dark in that hour of birth One voice on a sudden sang: Then all the bells in Heaven and Earth Together at midnight rang.
Mary sang in this world below: They heard her song arise O’er mist and over mountain snow To the walls of Paradise, And the tongue of many bells was stirred in Heaven’s towers to ring When the voice of mortal maid was heard, That was mother of Heaven’s King.
Glad is the world and fair this night With stars about its head, And the hall is filled with laughter and light, And fires are burning red. The bells of Paradise now ring With bells of Christendom, And Gloria, Gloria we will sing That God on earth is come.
Thank you
Thank you! Blessed Christmas!
Thank you!
@@CometFix ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Bless you for sharing this. Happy Christmas. 😊❤
The priest read this poem during the prelude to Midnight Mass. That was amazing. The melody and harmony were heavenly. Merry Christmas.
That's awesome!
It’s based Tolkien that wrote one of the most chilling Christmas poems at such a young age - it’s clear that the spirit of God was at work in his mother, his pastor, and his saintly benefactor who unbeknownst to him, would bring forth through his tutelage one of the greatest authors.
God bless JRR Tolkien
Thanks be to God for St. John Henry Newman, the founder of the oratory that raised Tolkien after his mother’s death
What language is poetry?
@@omarisfet6337 The language of angels and saints.
Grim was the world and grey last night:
The moon and stars were fled,
The hall was dark without song or light,
The fires were fallen dead.
The wind in the trees was like to the sea,
And over the mountains’ teeth
It whistled bitter-cold and free,
As a sword leapt from its sheath.
The lord of snows upreared his head;
His mantle long and pale
Upon the bitter blast was spread
And hung o’er hill and dale.
The world was blind,
the boughs were bent,
All ways and paths were wild:
Then the veil of cloud apart was rent,
And here was born a Child.
The ancient dome of heaven sheer
Was pricked with distant light;
A star came shining white and clear
Alone above the night.
In the dale of dark in that hour of birth
One voice on a sudden sang:
Then all the bells in Heaven and Earth
Together at midnight rang.
Mary sang in this world below:
They heard her song arise
O’er mist and over mountain snow
To the walls of Paradise,
And the tongue of many bells was stirred
in Heaven’s towers to ring
When the voice of mortal maid was heard,
That was mother of Heaven’s King.
Glad is the world and fair this night
With stars about its head,
And the hall is filled with laughter and light,
And fires are burning red.
The bells of Paradise now ring
With bells of Christendom,
And Gloria, Gloria we will sing
That God on earth is come.
Beautiful. Didn't think I'd ever see Gregorian chant and Tolkien combined in such a beautiful and reverent song and setting.
That's not Gregorian chant
It is the French Carol "Une Pucelle Jeaune", usually sung to the Huron Carol.
Tolkien was a devout Roman Catholic so it makes perfect sense.
I was blessed to hear this piece live.
Glad you were able to make it to our concert!
I am weeping. Thank you, Lord. Bless Tolkien and this choir.
Extraordinary beautiful! My spirit soars with the ending, “and God on earth is come”
Agreed! A glorious ending to such a beautiful poem
@@FlorianiSacredMusic your beautiful voices made it even more glorious! Thank you 🙏
Tolkien would have absolutely loved this, there’s no doubt about it 🥰
This is so beautiful! I think Tolkien would have loved this ❤️🎄
Wow, I would place this next to "In the Bleak Midwinter" in terms of melodic quality and the depth and beauty of the lyrics. We need more of this kind of composition.
But WHICH “In the Bleak Midwinter”?
@@marcusm359 The composition by Gustav Holst.
@ that one is beautiful. I prefer the Darke version, however.
@@marcusm359 Ah, good taste. I like both of them, but the one by Holst is what came to mind when hearing the particular piece above.
Noel
by J.R.R. Tolkien
Grim was the world and grey last night:
The moon and stars were fled,
The hall was dark without song or light,
The fires were fallen dead.
The wind in the trees was like to the sea,
And over the mountains’ teeth
It whistled bitter-cold and free,
As a sword leapt from its sheath.
The lord of snows upreared his head;
His mantle long and pale
Upon the bitter blast was spread
And hung o’er hill and dale.
The world was blind,
the boughs were bent,
All ways and paths were wild:
Then the veil of cloud apart was rent,
And here was born a Child.
The ancient dome of heaven sheer
Was pricked with distant light;
A star came shining white and clear
Alone above the night.
In the dale of dark in that hour of birth
One voice on a sudden sang:
Then all the bells in Heaven and Earth
Together at midnight rang.
Mary sang in this world below:
They heard her song arise
O’er mist and over mountain snow
To the walls of Paradise,
And the tongue of many bells was stirred
in Heaven’s towers to ring
When the voice of mortal maid was heard,
That was mother of Heaven’s King.
Glad is the world and fair this night
With stars about its head,
And the hall is filled with laughter and light,
And fires are burning red.
The bells of Paradise now ring
With bells of Christendom,
And Gloria, Gloria we will sing
That God on earth is come
Lovely setting of Tolkein's wonderful late-discovered poem. Great!
Thank you! Merry Christmas 🎄
yes!
That was absolutely beautiful. Wonderful harmonies. The imagery of Tolkien's poem is so unique. The Christmas story interwoven with Middle Earth, coupled with this melody, are outstanding.
This is so MAGNIFICENT! The church is so beautiful. The poem Noel by Tolkien is so mystical and one of my favorites. Thank you so much! This is the BEST CHRISTMAS present!!!!
Every word from Tolkien seems to be more beautiful than the last.
This absolutely made my Christmas Eve, Merry Christmas!
Mine too! God bless!
I couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful Christmas gift than this! Thank you all so much and Happy Christmas! ❤
Angels singing 🕯
Its continually amazing to me - that in the Lords infinite, immutable mercy and love for us - He lifts up the legacy of His departed faithful in order so that all can be saved and hear the good news.
Merry Christmas to all and behold, the intercessory power granted by the Lord!✝️❤️
Beautiful. The Tolkien content we need. ❤
Beautiful, simply beautiful! God bless you!
Wesołych świąt! ❤
💖 Beautiful poem and wonderful vocal. 💖
God bless you all! I loved every minute of this! It's rare to hear such a fitting marriage of text & music.
I love Tolkien and LotR and everything he’s put out. With all due respect, the tune reminds me somewhat of the Carol of the Huron Indians. It’s a Canadian Christmas carol.
Same!
The Huron Carol is to the tune of a 17th century French carol, "Une Jeune Pucelle," (1557) which obviously was a favorite of St. Jean de Brebeuf, the lyricist. The tune was earlier known as an Italian dance song, "La Monica," which was also called by various names in German sources.
I love the universality and diversity of our Catholic Faith - American Indians, French, Italian, German, etc. Praised be Jesus Christ, now and forever, to all the ends of the Earth. Verbum caro factum est! Viva Christo Rey!
@@jonathansmith4712 Amen. t Merry Christmas 🎄🎅 #TheWordMadeFlesh
@@suburbanbanshee Thank you for enlightening! Merry Christmas #TheWordMadeFlesh 🎄🎅
Breathtaking. Merry Christmas!!!!!🎄🎁
This is just beautiful. Absolutely beautiful!
God bless these cantors.
Amazing, thank you for sharing this work of art 🙏🏼🤍
You're welcome! 🙏
This was beautiful. Thank you. I've loved this poem since it was rediscovered!
Beautiful! I'm going to play this every year!
What a Christmas gift!
Thank you for such a beautiful song from our dear professor! Merry Christmas!
Such a gift!!!! ❤ Thank you for your ministry 👏
Thank you 🙏 Please keep our mission in your prayers! Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas Floriani! Rejoice for Our Saviour has been born! God Bless you all 🎄🙏🏼🌟🕊️.
Absolutely stunning! You guys are just amazing! God bless your beautiful voices!
🙏 Thank you. Have a blessed Christmas
This is beautiful ❤🥲 Merry Christmas all.
Wonderful! I've dreamed of someone doing a musical interpretation of this for years and you guys surpassed my wildest expectation by a lot. Straight onto the playlist.
The sound is eerily similar to “Huron Carol,” another of my favorite ancient Christmas carols.
I was thinking the same thing. St. Jean de Brebeuf, who wrote the original Huron words of the carol, set it to an adapted French folk tune, “Une Jeune Pucelle.” I wonder if this is another version of that melody.
Gorgeous...as is all the music Floriani does. Merry Christmas!
Authentic and excellent. God bless you happy gentlemen
God bless you! And Merry Christmas!
Absolutely ideal setting for this text! This couldn't be more perfect!
How beautiful. Merry Christmas. The Lord is among us.
Stunning
A chant fit for Hobbits in habits.
😀!
Wow. Thank you. So much
You are so talented ❤ Wonderful musical composition🙏
What a masterpiece! I have tears in my eyes...
Absolutely amazing!!!! 🙏❤️😇 Wishing you and your families a very Blessed and Merry Christmas 🎄
Justice has been served
so beautiful
It's beautiful 🌟
Simply Gorgeous!! Thank you!!!
Beautiful!
Thanks for the song! ❤
Merci
Wonderful. God bless you all.
Absolutely fantastic!
Beautiful
Thank you!
Beautiful 🙏❤️✨😇💫
Amazing...
Absolutely Beautiful. We have 3 homeschooled young boys. Would there be any way we could buy access to the score of this so my husband and boys can sing it for Grandparents? I only saw a purchase of the recording download on their website.
Super! Magnificent!
Sounds like Huron Carol but I'm really digging it; thank you for creating this
Very nice!
Metrically, it sounds like it would also fit perfectly with the tune of "Twas in the Moon of Wintertime"! In fact, this tune sounds A LOT like it!😲😂
Wish you had the lyrics on the video.
Thank you so much. This is so beautiful. A moving, simple, unaggressive, profound and therefore very fitting polyphony that carries and amplifies the words. Could you please make the song available on Apple Music and Spotify? Thank you in advance. Merry Christmas!
It will be available on all streaming platforms very soon!
Merry Christmas!
Could you add the lyrics in description? Thanks !
This is wonderful! Will you be sharing the arrangement for use with choirs?
Beautiful!! Where might I get the music?
Can you put this on Spotify please? Merry Christmas!
It'll be going up on Spotify soon!
Oh my goodness, I thought you guys were a full choir of monks!
Long live our Lord Jesus Christ and king of the kings
Any chance we can get the square notation for this??
Please, where are the lyrics?
Can be found online via Tolkien's poem titled "noel".
Beautiful. Where was this filmed?
Merry Christmas to Clan Floriani
The dwarves are singing in their halls…
Merry Christmas!
Is there any sheet music available for this?
How can I get ahold of the sheet music? I’d like to do this in a men’s ensemble for a community concert next year.
Melody is ; Maria durch ein Dornwald ging
Isn't this music similar to the Huron Carol?
Same tune as "The Huron Carol."
100
it's lovely, but the next time you sing in the sanctuary, could you please address the King by facing Him instead of having your backs to Him in the tabernacle ?
Why did they depict Mary so much bigger than Jesus? Isn’t He supposed to be important?
Jesus is the most important, yes! But whether you are referring to the church's statues and artwork, or the lyrics of the song, the reason for honoring Mary in this way is A) because without her cooperation with God, Jesus would not have taken on flesh to save the world, and B) she is the Mother of God, and we are called to honor our mothers and fathers. In regards to A, it's easy to overlook her participation in salvation, but it's important to remember that God did not force her to take on this tremendous responsibility-she could have refused it! But instead, she gave her consent, and because of this God was made man.
This entire song and video is about Jesus. Every single word and event happening in the poem is all swirling in on the central, pivotal heart of it - the cloud is rent, the star appears, the voice of The Woman sings; the bells of paradise ring, the bells of earth respond, and the world is filled with laughter and light and song… because God on earth is come.
Jesus is absolutely the most important, central theme of the poem/song; demonstrated by the fact that the entire poem builds to the final line - which is the Reason for everything that comes before it.
Though His name is not spoken, Jesus fills the entire poem from start to finish.
Thank you!