"Sussex Carol" by Bob Chilcott (All YWCP Choruses)

"Sussex Carol" by Bob Chilcott (b. 1955) Performed by the Choruses of the Young Women's Choral Projects, including Prelude, Allegro and Vivo Choruses & the Young Women’s Chorus Dara Phung, piano Dr. Matthew Otto, conductor Sussex Carol This carol is particularly popular in the United Kingdom and sometimes referred to by its first line "On Christmas night all Christians sing". The lyrics were first published by Luke Wadding, a late 17th-century poet and bishop in Ireland. It is unclear whether Wadding wrote the song or was recording an earlier composition. Both the text and the tune to which it is now sung were discovered and written down by Cecil Sharp and Ralph Vaughan Williams. The tune to which it is generally sung today is the one Vaughan Williams notated and published in 1919. On Christmas night all Christians sing, To hear the news the angels bring, News of great joy, news of great mirth, News of our merciful King's birth. Then why should men on earth be so sad, Since our redeemer made us glad, When from our sin he set us free, All for to gain our liberty. When sin departs before his grace, Then life and health come in its place; Angels and men with joy may sing, All for to see the new-born King. All out of darkness we have light, Which made the angels sing this night: 'Glory to God and peace to men, Now and for evermore. Amen.' The Young Women’s Choral Projects of San Francisco transforms the lives of young women through exceptional artistry in choral performance and brings the expressive power of their music to the community, the nation, and the world. Founded in 2012 by Dr. Susan McMane, and now led by Dr. Matthew Otto, YWCP includes five levels of choral experience for young women ages 4-18 from across the San Francisco Bay Area. Through YWCP, participants of richly diverse socio-ethnic backgrounds find their voices as singers, artists, and women in a nurturing environment that empowers them to achieve artistic and personal excellence. Learn more at YWCP.org.