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Past Three O'Clock (secular Christmas text)

Classical/Choral music • 2024 • Lyricist: James Fortescue

Past Three O'Clock (secular Christmas text)

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Past Three O'Clock (secular Christmas text): Past Three O'Clock (secular Christmas text) by folklore

Sheet music file
1.50 USD

Seller Stephen Smith

PDF, 693.0 Kb ID: SM-000608938 Upload date: 25 Oct 2024

Instrumentation	Piano, Male choir
Scored for	Accompanying piano, Choir
Type of score	Piano-vocal score
Key	A major
Arranger	Stephen Smith
Publisher	Stephen Smith
Language	English
Difficulty	Advanced
Duration	2'30

The lively tune of this song, and the text of its refrain, originated in the 17th century with the London "waits" - men who patrolled city streets at night, singing and playing instruments, relating the latest news, and guarding people's property! Unfortunately, the original verse texts were lost long ago. In the early 20th century the song was made into a carol by the addition of some cringe-inducing pseudo-antique sacred verses, and in that form it has limped along for several decades…until NOW! Happily, the new version of the carol which you see before you abandons those icky verses in favour of three fresh, authentic ones by James Fortescue, and two more by arranger Stephen Smith. These new texts are all in the "voice" of the waits, extending their story through the whole song while also pulling in a (secular) Christmas element. The arrangement, for TBB (div.) with piano or chamber ensemble accompaniment, is great fun both to sing and to listen to. With its jaunty imitative phrases, rich harmonies, and instrumental "dance-breaks," it will quickly become a favourite of any lower-voice choir!

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