Now begin on Christmas Day

Moonless darkness stands between. 
Past, O Past, no more be seen!
But the Betlehem star may lead me 
To the sight of him who freed me 
From the self that I have been.

Make me pure, Lord,
Thou art holy; 
Make me meek, Lord:
Thou wert lowly,
Now beginning, and always; 
Now beginning, and allway;
Now beginning on Christmas Day.

by Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844-1889)

Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive)

by John La Montaine (1920-) , "Now begin on Christmas Day", from Songs of the Nativity, no. 4.

Added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.

Gentle Reminder

This project is not funded. If you found the information here useful, please consider making a donation. Your gift is greatly appreciated!      - Emily I also have a wishlist at Amazon.ca.

Search/Shop for

Sheet music:

  Search sheetmusicplus.com for Now begin on Christmas Day, Art song , Lieder, chansons, or works for solo voice
  Search musicroom.com for Now begin on Christmas Day, vocal/choral music

CDs:

  Search amazon.com for Now begin on Christmas Day, art song, Lieder, or chansons
  Search amazon.ca for Now begin on Christmas Day, art song, Lieder, or chansons

Books:

  The Art of the Song Recital [amazon.com]
  The Book of Lieder: The Original Texts of Over 1000 Songs [amazon.com]
  Search amazon.com for art song, Lieder, or chansons
  Search amazon.ca for art song, lieder, or chansons

Classical Vocal Repertoire