Written in 2016 for The Vocal Consort, this piece takes its text from a lost appendix of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll (1832-1898). A troupe of fairies happen upon the titular character and wish her a merry Christmas. This piece is for TTBB unaccompanied chorus, however may be performed as a vocal quartet.
LADY dear, if Fairies may
For a moment lay aside
Cunning tricks and elfish play,
‘Tis at happy Christmas-tide.
We have heard the children say –
Gentle children, whom we love –
Long ago, on Christmas Day,
Came a message from above.
Still, as Christmas-tide comes round,
They remember it again –
Echo still the joyful sound,
‘Peace on earth, good-will to men.’
Yet the hearts must child-like be
Where such heavenly guests abide.
Unto children, in their glee,
All the year is Christmas-tide.
Thus, forgetting tricks and play
For a moment, Lady dear,
We would wish you, if we may,
Merry Christmas, glad New Year.
