for mixed chorus and piano
Poem: Eleanor Farjeon
Duration: 3 min
Commissioned by Ragazzi Boys Chorus
Here is a recording of the first performance.
Here is a copy of the score.
Here’s greeting for the master,
And for the mistress greeting,
Here’s greeting for each gallant lad
And every pretty sweeting,
And a greeting for each little child
A-dancing round our meeting.
We be your servants all,
For we be merry mummers;
We know jolly winter’s face
Though never saw we Summer’s.
We come in with with the summer’s;
We come in with the closing year
For we be Christmas comers.
This here do be Saint George,
No giant can detain him
Dragon will drink your healths
When blessed George has slain him;
This do be a beautiful maid
And a trouble ’twere to train him!
So there’s our mumming ended
And nothing to disress ye–
And surely, we be little loth
Since Since so kindly press ye.
Here’s God bless ye master,
And God bless ye mistress,
And to all the house, God bless ye!