Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-11-17


carols to be given on Christmas eve
at the community Christmas tree for
which the Outdoor Circle is making
elaborate arrangements. Miss Elnora
Sturgeon. Is chairman of the commit
tee on tableaus, the other members
being Mrs. Frank S. Scudder, Mrs.
T. A. Fisher, Mrs. I. M. Cox, ably as
sisted by Mr.. and Mrs. r. NJ. Burnham.
The tableaus will be- presented in one
OF the balconies of the capitol and 1t
is expected that this will be one of the
most entertaining features of the eV-
ening. 1.-THE First NOEL is the carol
to be thus illustrated, and the words
are given today that all who read may
cut them out and learn them SO that
the ensemble singing may be more
spontaneous and filled with the spirit
of Christmas.
The Christmas carol is coming to its
own again, even in the cities of the
new world America, and there are
many who recognize in the reyivals OF
the amiable old social customs a sign
Of the awakening of new social con-
seriousness and of drawing together
for mutual understanding and more
wholesome ways of getting on in the
big city-family life.
The celebration of the birth Of
Christ has been continuous since the
first century of the Christian era, and
since 139 the Gloria in EXcelsis" has
been sung in the church services. This
is truly the first Christmas carol, and
carol singing has always played a
large part in the observances OF the
day. Just when carolers began to
sing in the streets is not known, but
it was general in the fifteenth cen.
fury. In England bands of singers
went from house to house ushering IN
the Christmas day with their merry
making. Jacob Riis, in his book, The
Old Town." describes the Blowing in
the Yule from the grim old tower that
had stood eight hundred years against
the blasts Of the North sea" as lone
of the customs that abide. At sun-up,
while yet the people were at breakfast,
the town band climbed the many steep
ladders to the top of the tower, ana
up there, in fair weather or foul, and
sometimes it blew great guns from
the wintry sea, they played four old
hymns, one to each corner Of the COM
pass, so that no one was forgotten. ?
1t is the hope of those in charge that
when Honolulans come together on
Christmas eve to sing carols and
hymns, thus reviving an ancient and
lovely custom, they will also recreate
for themselves still more ancient
and kindly Christmas spirit of brother.
hood and good will.
"The First Noel" is of old English
origin, the words being as follows:
THE FIRST NOEL
.... (Old English)
The first Noel the angel did say.
Was to certain poor shepherds in
fields as they lay.
In fields where they lay keeping their
sheep
On a cold winters night that was so
deep.
Chorus.
Il. ~ Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel.
lOOhOu up anu saw q OldT <
Shining in the East beyond them far,
And to the earth it gave great light,
Ana so it continued both day and
night. -..-
Chorus-Noel, etc.
This star drew nigh to the northwest,
Der Bethlehem it took its rest;
And there it did both stop and stay,
Right over the place where Jesus lay.
Chorus-Noel, etc.
Then entered in those wise men three,
Full reverently upon their knee,
And offered there, in His presence,
Their gold, and myrrh, and franklin.
cense. fs'-
Chorus-Noel, etc.
Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our Heavenly Lord,
That hath made heaven and earth of
naught,
And with His blood mankind hath
bought.
Chorus-Noel, etc.
A BIT ABOUT MRS. JACK LONDON
Word comes from Glen Ellen, the
Valley of the Moon" ranch of the
late Jack London and Chairman Lon.
don, that the book started by Mr. and
Mrs. London and finished by Mrs.
London, will be ready for the Christ
mas shopper. The book has been
called Our Hawaii" and should give
pleasure to all who read it. Mrs.
London writes to a friend that
she has finished the proof reading
and is satisfied. as 1t has gone well.
The Macmillan company is publish.
ing Our Hawaii and it will be
ready by December first.
Mrs. London writes: 81 have put
my whole heart into it and hope that
the Hawaiians and all Hawaii will be
able to read the love Jack and felt
for them and their dear land.
There's great deal about Jack
London in it-almost biography in
itself, OF the period covered in the
book. which is detailed account of
our several months spent in the is
lands and resume of our last two
A Sensitive
Coo.o4 G,,1l