Hail the Auspicious Day

One Accord’s first CD launched in December 2005. Recorded live in Rivington Chapel, Lancashire and at Cock Robin Studios, this 19 track CD is available directly from us for the princely sum of £10.00 (+£1.50 to cover package and posting)

To get hold of a copy contact us using the button below:

1. We Singers Make Bold

Traditional. Sung in many pubs in South Yorkshire.

2. Swaine Hark

This version comes from the singers of The Fountain Inn, Ingbirchworth, Penistone. The tune,

thought to be written by John Hall (died 1794), has several names in the tradition.

3. On Christmas Night/Sussex Carol MP3 file (approx 2.2MB)

First tune and words from Oxford Book of Carols (collected in 1904 – printed in Journal of Folk Song Society, vol. ii, p 126). Second tune melody from Mrs.Verrall, Monks Gate, Sussex.

4. Behold the Grace

Words by Isaac Watts (1674 – 1748).The tune, Cranbrook,was written by Thomas Clark,

cobbler from Canterbury (published 1805).This version is from the Carol Singers of Padstow.

5. Birley Edge MP3 file (approx 2.5MB)

Compiled by Ian Russell from the Mount-Dawson manuscripts (owned by Ian and on permanent loan to Sheffield Archives).Words by Samuel Medley (1782). Tune attributed to Handel in Voce di Melodia, arr. William Holford (c 1830)

6. Quelle est Cette Odour Agréeable (Whence is that Goodly Fragrance Flowing)

Old French Carol – First and last verse in French and the rest translated into English.The tune is at least as old as the Beggars Opera (1728).

7. Beautiful Zion

Version of ‘Hark the Herald Angels Sing’ (Charles Wesley), with an additional verse from

children’s hymn ‘Beautiful Zion’(George Gill,1863).This version from The Fountain Inn.The tune

is widespread in Yorkshire and Lancashire and known under various names.

8. Cunliffe Street MP3 file (approx 3.5MB)

Version of ‘Angels from the Realms of Glory’.Tune from Maurice Hilton’s private manuscript.

Sung until recently by Shevington Methodist Church. Possibly named after former Methodist

Church in Cunliffe Street, Chorley.We would be pleased to receive any other information about this tune.

9. When Santa Claus Comes Down the Chimney

We know nothing about this except that it was sung in a pantomime in Sheffield before the

Second World War.

10. Sam’s Christmas Pudding

Monologue by Marriott Edgar.

11. Jacob's Well

Words thought to be written by Hugh Bourne (founder of the Primitive Methodists).

Tune by James Leach, Wardle, Rochdale. Published posthumously 1798.

12. L'annunciazione

From the singing of the Italian Group 'Ensemble del Doppio Bordone'.

Collected by Franco Castelli in Alessandria, Northern Italy.

13. Leigh Carol (Hark! Hark!)

Another setting of 'Hark! Hark! What News'

Three of the five verses sung in Leigh, Lancashire.

Three part harmony from manuscript of Joseph Stephenson, Clerk of Unitarian Church in Poole Dorset (1775). The top and bottom lines are almost identical to a version sung in Leigh but the middle harmony is quite different. It is said in Leigh that this tune was written by Handel and given to the people of Leigh on his visit there in 1741.

14. The Westhoughton Carol

Tune composed in 1820 by James Winward, Handloom Weaver from Wingates, Westhoughton, Lancashire. The words come from a much older and longer carol (The Black Decree).

The final verse was added by Revd Hodges, vicar of Wingates up to 1875.

15. Gode Rest Ye

Recorded from Miss Cole in Whitby, approx 1960, by Nigel Huddleston. This was her 'Vessel Cupping' song.

16. Noël Nouvelet/Masters in this Hall

Both old French carols. The first may be from Berry. English words for 'Masters in the Hall' written by William Morris and published in 1860 to a tune from the organist at Chartres Cathedral.

17. Wassailing

Peter learnt this from the singing of Joe Kerrins. We subsequently found that it comes from the singing of George Dunn, a chainmaker from Cradely Heath who died in 1975

18. Roby Mill

This used to be sung by the carol singers from Roby Mill who went out throughout the night on New Year's Eve up until 1974.

Hail the Auspicious Day Track Listing