Category: Canadian Text

Gentle Mary Laid Her Child

4/1/2022

Voicing: SSA and piano with optional soprano solo; also SATB, TTBB, SAB versions
Text: Joseph Simpson Cook (1859 - 1933)
Published by: Canadian International Music, (Lorenz Corp.)
CIM 1015 (1997);
Retail: Sheetmusicplus; Cadenza One; J.W. Pepper; Amazon.com; Northwest Musical Services; Stanton's Music; Musical Resources Online; Musicmart;

Notes: This Christmas choral work is suitable for concert and/or church use and is published in four different voicings. In addition to the SSA, there are also settings for SATB (CIM 1004), SAB (CIM 1068) and TTBB (CIM 1069). Each piece begins with a mid-range solo (or section) followed by an a cappella verse two in four parts and a final verse in unison with a descant and powerful piano accompaniment. The first of the four pieces to be composed was the SATB in about1994 with the SSA version following soon afterwards. The SAB and TTBB settings were added in 2001. All of these can be obtained in North America thru the retailers J.W. Pepper and Sheetmusicplus.com. There are printed versions and instant downloads available thru both of these web-sites.
In 2005, Gentle Mary was translated into German and Dutch. These are available thru the European Choral Club.

Gentle Mary laid her child
Lowly in a manger;
There he lay, the undefiled,
To the world a stranger,
Such a babe in such a place,
Can he be the Saviour?
Ask the saved of all the race
Who have found his favour.

Angels sang about his birth,
Wise men sought and found him;
Heaven's star shone brightly forth,
Glory all around him.
Shepherds saw the wondrous sight,
Heard the angels singing;
All the plains were lit that night,
All the hills were ringing.

Gentle Mary laid her child
Lowly in a manger,
He is still the undefiled,
But no more a stranger.
Son of God of humble birth,
Beautiful the story;
Praise his name in all the earth,
Hail the King of Glory.

Performed by: Ariose Women's Choir, Marilyn Kerley, conductor;

Performed by: The Bach Children's Chorus Chamber Youth Choir (Toronto) (TTBB), Linda Beaupre, conductor

Performed by: The Connecticut Choral Artists (SATB), Richard Coffey, conductor

2 Comments

Parlez-Moi, arr.

2/22/2022

Voicing: SSA and piano; SATB and piano
Text and Melody: France Levasseur-Ouimet
Level: Moderately Easy
Published by: Cypress Choral Music CP 1217;
Retail: The Leading Note ; Sheet Music Plus; The Leading Note; Northwest Musical Services; Panamusica;

Notes: This is easily my most popular choral arrangement! A pleasant melody with a lovely chorus and a thoughtful French text by Dr. Levasseur-Ouimet made it a pleasure to set. There are two arrangements: SSA and SATB. Allan Bevan's arrangement of France Levasseur-Ouimet's "Parlez-Moi", was commissioned by Les Petits Chanteurs de Saint-Marc in 2010. This famous children's choir has sung the work in France, Spain, and South Korea. The SATB version of the piece (2013) is also published by Cypress Choral Music (CP 1265). (Perhaps there is a TTBB choir out there who would like me to arrange this for them? Send an e-mail!)
France Levasseur-Ouimet is a gifted francophone songwriter who lives in Edmonton. Allan Bevan and Dr. Levasseur-Ouimet have collaborated on many occasions over the past decade. The Canadian Chamber Choir, Julia Davids conductor, featured this work as part of their 2019 tours and recording, "Seasons of Life and Landscape".

Notes: l'arrangement de Allan Bevan de France Levasseur-Ouimet "Parlez-Moi", a été commandé par Les Petits Chanteurs de Saint-Marc en 2010. Ce chœur d'enfants célèbres a chanté le travail en France, en Espagne et en Corée du Sud. Il ya aussi une version pour choeur SATB (CP 1265). La version SATB a été achevée en 2013.
France Levasseur-Ouimet est un auteur-compositeur francophone de talent qui vit à Edmonton.

"Je cherche un peu partout
Dans l’espoir de trouver
Quelqu’un qui connaît bien la mer et son halein’ salée
Qui pourrait bien me dire
Pour quoi j’ai dans la peau
Le bruit des vagues sur la plage
Le chant liquide et pur de l’eau.

Parlez-moi de la mer
Racontez moi son histoire
Dites-moi, parlez-moi
Pour que je sois marin pour que je sois marin Parlez-moi de la mer."

excerpt from Parlez-Moi by France Levasseur-Ouimet arr. Allan Bevan
© Cypress Choral Music 2012

Performed by: Chorale Saint-Jean, Catherine Kubash, conductor (SATB)

Performed by: Les Petits Chanteurs de Saint-Marc, Nicolas Porte, conductor (SSA)

Performed by: ihana Youth Choir, Lisa Ward, conductor

Marie Stultz of Spectrum Music, in Lexington, MA wrote this about Parlez-Moi in the Winter 2012-13 Choral Room:
Parlez-moi, by France Lavasseur-Ouimet, arr. Allan Bevan, French text, Cypress, CP 1217, SSA & piano. Difficulty rating 3-4. $2.25
Text Source: France Levasseur-Ouimet
Period and Nationality: 21st C. French Canadian
Style: Part-Song
Special Music Characteristics: This charming melody and text by Lavasseur-Ouimet resembles a folk song. Bevan has arranged the melody in two and three parts over a florid piano accompaniment in the key of D Major. A good introduction to French diction, the subtle dynamics will develop the choir's artistry. The piece concludes on a dramatic double forte on a unison d2 that will ring through the room.

Read the complete text and view the score at Cypress Choral Music

Enjoy a performance of Parlez-Moi by Concerto Della Donna at CBC Music

1 Comment

Gentle Mary Laid Her Child

Parlez-Moi, arr.

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