VocalEssence Ensemble Singers

Carol One
Pure silver’s raining down
On the Yuletide eve,

Every tiny stick and twig
Shoot off silver sparks.

All night long the candles burn
In their silver lamps.

Gently, gently God was coming
Driving down the hill:

God has only gentle horses,
And a gently fitted sled.

Make the fire flame burn bright,
Welcome God inside:

God has driven down the hill
In a coat of silver.

I am thanking God tonight
I saw theYuletide come;

Let Him keep me in good health
So I’m around at Easter.
—Traditional Latvian carol

Carol Two
Sing, young boys, it’s time to sing
Together with your sisters;

Even bees will sing a song
On the Yuletide eve.

Let us listen to the bees
On the Yuletide eve:

If we hear a lovely song
Our summer will be warm.

People ate and people drank,
God was listening outside,

God was listening outside
To hear if He was praised.

Make some kindling, blow on flame,
Let God come inside.

God is standing by the gate
Let God come inside.
—Traditional Latvian carol

Carol Three
(sung in Latvian)
Yuletide has arrived
In a decked out sleigh.

Hurry out good people
Greet and receive Yuletide.

Make kindling, blow on flame,
Invite God to come inside.

God is standing by the gate
With his tired horse.

Silence, young ones, silence oldsters—
God then entered our house.

God then entered our house
Asking for the householder.

The householder is over there,
Sitting at the table end,

Sitting at the table end,
In a linen shirt of white.
Yuletide has arrived in a decked out sleigh.
—Traditional Latvian carol