Grass Valley Card

Old & New Cornish Christmas Carols

Cornish Carols - A Tradition For The World

Grass Valley

Sugar Pine Motor Lodge, Grass Valley.

Probably one of the best loved carols in the pubs of West Cornwall "The Prince of Life" is also sung in the old mining towns of Australia, Canada, South Africa and the United States. It is featured every year at Grass Valley, California, where a Cornish Carol service is held. In 1945 the Grass Valley Cornish choir made a radio broadcast which was heard right across America. People gathered at the Sugar Pine Lodge on Christmas morning to listen with their families and friends.

Each year the local Grass Valley radio station broadcasts the recording at 9-0pm P.S.T. and it is available on the internet. Last year members of the "Cornish list" an internet genealogy group of Cornish descendents from around the world came together on line to listen. So why not join us this year to hear the full programme.

"The Prince of Life" Carol

1.Come, let us lift our hearts and voice,
To Him who reigns above.
Let all in songs of praise rejoice,
And shout Redeeming Love.

2. Now may we cease to weep and mourn,
Good news is come from Heav'n;
For unto us a Child is born,
To us a Son is giv'n.

3. He is our Father and our Friend,
The Prince of Life and Peace;
And since His mercy knows no end,
His praise shall ever cease.

Even today the Cornish descendents still gather together. This year the California Cornish Association held their get together at Grass Valley and amongst lots of other celebrations the younger members performed the Christmas play. [see video of their performance].

Grass Valley Web site

Thanks to Hymns and Carols for making the midis scores available to use.