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Old
Cornwall Christmas
Traditions
Cornish
Carols - A Tradition For The World
14. Camborne
Dolcoath Copper Mine By Thomas Allom
A
tradition carried on amongst Cornish miners is to fasten a large gorse bush
at the very top of the hoist. The gorse must be in flower and it is
said to bring luck to the mine for the following twelve months. Another
tradition was to hold a carol service underground when the sound of
singing filled the levels. I will never
forget Christmas Eve 1976 when I stood with fellow workers in the pump room down Crofty and sang
"Hark the glad sound" to the tune by Thomas Merritt.
1. Hark, the glad sound! the Saviour
comes,
The Saviour promised long;
Let every heart prepare a throne,
And every voice a song.
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2. He comes, the prisoners to release,
In Satan’s bondage held;
The gates of brass before Him burst,
The iron fetters yield. |
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3. Our glad hosannas, Prince of Peace,
Thy welcome shall proclaim;
And heav’n’s eternal arches ring
With Thy belovèd Name. |
Musical
Score PDF.
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CHRISTMAS IN
CAMBORNE
By George Pritchard |
Cross Street is gay. The chip shop's crowded.
Crowned with a blue electric star
The gift tree by the fountain shimmers,
Superbly tall if angular.
In Trelowarren Street the lights do dazzle
The shops are having a mini boom.
From the church tower the bells are ringing,
Incessant, through the afternoon.
Early are the windows lighted
Tempting shoppers who come inside.
Children's noses pressed to windows
Trying to see what mother buys.
Grandpa's had enough of shopping
Goes and finds a place to rest
Lifts a glass in celebration
He says this Christmas will be the best.
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Whilst deep below ground at South Crofty
A miners chorus begin to sing.
"Hark the glad sound" a tune by Merritt,
Throughout the levels, they let it ring.
And as they sing it in the pump room
Others come from out the ends
No need for cornets or euphoniums,
Their voice alone the message sends.
This band of brothers joining together,
To tell the tale of a
baby boy.
So even in the darkest tunnel
They spread the message
of Christmas joy
Much later when
their 'core' is ended
With friends they'll
gather in the square
Their wives and children
all together
Singing the rousing
Carolare.
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Breathless, with boxes in a jumble
The taxi drivers come and go.
Madam Chairman pulls the handle
Lights up the tree, oh, what a show
And little children looking heavenward
Cluster mittened in the Square
They talk of Santa, half affrighted,
Waiting in the cold night air.
Now the town band strikes up the anthem
Troon Choir their music bring
Come and join our celebration
Lift your voice and with us sing.
"Hark, the glad sound! the Savior comes,
The Savior promised long;
Let every heart prepare a throne,
And every voice a song."
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