In the Bleak Midwinter: Songs for Advent

a partial playlist

Recently on The Platform Formerly Known as Twitter, someone asked if I might put together a list of Advent songs in the folk idiom that I love so well: the kinds of songs and arrangements that we might use in our house church here at Stella Matutina Farm over the course of Advent. And that’s the reason for this extra newsletter this week. I was going to wait until next week—but Advent would be half-over by then!

“People, Look East!” Lyrics by Eleanor Farjeon

This is one I first learned as a Waldorf teacher back in the day. It’s the perfect song, as the verses illustrate, in order, how the kingdoms of nature celebrate the coming of Christ. Eleanor Farjeon, the goddess of my idolatry, who is known for her children’s books and the lyrics to “Morning Is Broken,” wrote the lyrics long before she became a Christian. Scratch that. She was always a Christian. She simply didn’t join an institution until very late in life. We sing the first verse the first week of Advent, the week of the stones, and add a crystal or agate to our wreath. The next week we welcome the plant kingdom, then the animals, and the the Christ Child over the following weeks. Here’s a lovely arrangement I found by Al Petteway and Amy White:

“A Soalin’.” Old English tune recorded by Peter, Paul and Mary.

Here’s another one I used to sing with my Waldorf kids. When you get Michael Martin as your teacher, plan on becoming expert at English folk music! I saw Peter, Paul and Mary perform this one summer (!) in about 1982 or so. I met them after the show when I was asked by Peter Yarrow to hold his glass of wine and Mary Travers gave me a hug. So there.

“Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent” recorded by Stone’s Throw Band

Another great song—simple and profound—from the Anglican Hymnal. I love this simple arrangement.

“Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” recorded by Woodmen Worship

Man! What is with that Anglican Hymnal? Another song that so beautifully works in a simple folk arrangement.

“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” recorded by Boo Kopliku.

I love the simplicity of this one.

“In the Bleak Midwinter.” Lyrics by Christian Rossetti, performed by Angelo Kelly & Family.

This is the perfect hymn for the last week of Advent, the time of the Winter Solstice and the deepest darkness.

These are the songs we’ll be singing this Advent. Of course, my arrangements are very different from these—but if my friend Therese Schroeder-Sheker didn’t live so far away, I would surely put her to work with her harp (I’m lookin’ at you, Therese!). If she were in the neighborhood, I would beg her to sing this one. It’s been one of my favorites from long, long before we became friends.

What songs would you add to this playlist?