Middletown transcript., 1892-12-22
CHRISTMAS MUSIC.
VAST SUMS SPENT ON THE CAROL
ING PROFESSIONS LONG AGO.

In Italy the Calabrian Shepherds Come
Down from the Mountains to Greet the
Child Jesus with Soft, Sweet Notes.
Queer Music of the Puritans.
To review even briefly the wonderful
Christmas singing and playing in the
Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Fifteenth
centuries is beyond our limits; yet what
scenes, splendid, romantic and glowing
with life, form and color, mention OF
those old pageants can summon upl Ac-
count books of the day, preserved in the
British museum. show what vast sums
were spent upon them. Cheapside.
Tower hill, Southwark, even forlorn
and fallen Whitechapel, were scenes Of
such festivities They wake to life as
we read of the caroling professions of
the olden time; yet, as may well be i'm
agined, such redundant doings led to
excesses, and then authority had to step
in. Ministers and priests forbade much
that had been customary, while with the
Puritans came an absolute law against
even the singing of carols
Queer droning music, tuneless and de-
pressing. was that of Cromwell's choice;
yet here and there. in the homes of the
better classes, voices were not to be
silenced Had they not-the precedent of
the angelsl AS Jeremy Taylor says Of
that first Christmas music. AS soon as
those blessed choristerS had sung their
Christmas carol, and taught the churci
a hymn to put ;lto her Offices forever on
the anniversary Of this festivity. tie
message sung for all a waking Christian
world Meantime i'll other lands the
people had caught up the song of the ia
tivity
In Italy the music of Christmas day
for centuries was famous. the Sistine
chapel being historic for its work of
praise that great day and from the
sweep of the 'Benedictus" and "Magnif
icat" we reach the sweet soft notes of
those Carabrian shepherds, called Pif
ferari. who come down from the noun
tains to sing Christmas hymns from
place to place. visiting chiefly stables
where they have tradition the Child
Jesus has passed by.
To dictate precisely what should and
what should not constitute good Christ
mas assinging is not possible, but of course
there are, rs in every branch of the di-
vine art, certain guiding rules. the first
one being that all music appropriate for
the day should be joyous and expressive
of thanks to God, while there are solemn
parts of every service of such thanks
giving, of course, as with every deep JOY
is the stiffness" in heart and voice and
utterance. No home but should have its
own festival of rejoicing, and let those
who seek for home harmonies search
only the novels or carols of France, or the
hymns of those English writers who bad
vast cathedral aisles to fill. yet contrivcd
to preserve an exquisite simplicity in all
their work.
We need to preserve every Christian
tradition dearly. If the yule log cannot
be lighted. yet from year to year we can
surely keep Il fire Of good will and cheer
and rekindle the old flame. as they who
have the yule are wont to do In he
old times. after the Christmas dinnpl
had been enjoyed, the loving cup WIS
passed around, doors at one end of Tie
long hall were thrown open. and Their,
entered Il company of perhaps fifty per
sonS-gaestS OF the host humble mrH
and women and children. invited frnu.
far and wide. After word Of welcoliit'
all arose, ana ais with one voice sans
that most perfect Of old ChristnI;..
hymns. with Hearts Truly Grateful
Centuries ago other carols were sun.
there, and, as now. il feast provided IL!
one and all. while the question of rank
was for tliat day forgotten. Later. u
the orchards, the songs q the Selso:.
We're suns-a tradition prevailing thai
this lEsfres Il good crop FOR all durln.
the coming year
Our theme Is endless, vet II is Ell
bodied III one dominant idea Whether
the notes of Il great organ fiji Il cathedral
whether tie hunlbleat lI!tie hand Gt
waits go from door tu door. there
should be one Thought upHerlnost- w
sing the message of the angels. we pr;iia,
God. and our hearts should renembri
that peace OH earth is the glory of tl!r
day.-Lucy {. Lille III HarptrS Batz:r