25 Carols for Christmas

~ Release by Choir of King's College, Cambridge (see all versions of this release, 1 available)

Annotation

Copyright: A Decca Classics Release; This Compilation ℗ 2025 Universal Music Operations Limited

Annotation last modified on 2025-12-12 16:00 UTC.

Tracklist

1▼Digital Media
#TitleRatingLength
1Hark the Herald Angels Sing
organ:
David Briggs (English organist and composer) (on 1984-03-20)
choir vocals:
Choir of King’s College, Cambridge (on 1984-03-20)
conductor:
Stephen Cleobury (organist, conductor) (on 1984-03-20)
recorded at:
King’s College Cambridge in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, United Kingdom (on 1984-03-20)
recording of:
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (Christmas carol) (on 1984-03-20)
additional lyricist:
George Whitefield (in 1753)
lyricist:
Charles Wesley (hymn writer) (in 1739)
composer:
Felix Mendelssohn (composer) (in 1840)
arranger:
William H. Cummings (in 1855)
part of:
The New English Hymnal (hymn book) (number: 26)
3:04
2O Little Town of Bethlehem
organ:
David Briggs (English organist and composer) (on 1984-03-20)
vocals:
Choir of King’s College, Cambridge (on 1984-03-20)
conductor:
Stephen Cleobury (organist, conductor) (on 1984-03-20)
recorded at:
King’s College Cambridge in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, United Kingdom (on 1984-03-20)
recording of:
O Little Town of Bethlehem (traditional carol with the tune “Forest Green”, as sung in the UK and the Episcopal Church in the U.S.) (on 1984-03-20)
lyricist:
Phillips Brooks (in 1868)
additional composer:
Ralph Vaughan Williams (English composer) (in 1906)
composer:
[traditional] (special purpose artist)
arranger:
Ralph Vaughan Williams (English composer)
publisher:
Oxford University Press (in 1906)
part of:
The New English Hymnal (hymn book) (number: 32)
is based on:
The Ploughboy's Dream
version of:
O Little Town of Bethlehem (traditional carol with the tune “St. Louis”, as commonly sung in the U.S.)
3:17
3Ding Dong! Merrily on High
vocals:
Choir of King’s College, Cambridge (on 1984-03-20)
conductor:
Stephen Cleobury (organist, conductor) (on 1984-03-20)
recorded at:
King’s College Cambridge in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, United Kingdom (on 1984-03-20)
recording of:
Ding Dong! Merrily on High (on 1984-03-20)
lyricist:
George Ratcliffe Woodward
composer:
Thoinot Arbeau (Artist name of Jehan Tabourot (“Orchesographie”))
arranger:
Charles Wood (Irish composer)
is based on:
Branle de l’official
2:01
4O Come, All Ye Faithful
organ:
Simon Preston (organist, conductor, composer) (in 1958-12)
choir vocals:
Choir of King’s College, Cambridge
vocals:
Choir of King’s College, Cambridge (in 1958-12)
conductor:
Sir David Willcocks (UK composer, organist, choral conductor) (in 1958-12)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
The Decca Record Company Limited (not a release label; for copyrights use only) (in 1959)
recorded at:
King’s College Cambridge in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, United Kingdom (in 1958-12)
recording of:
O Come, All Ye Faithful (English version of Latin “Adeste fideles”) (in 1958-12)
lyricist and composer:
John Francis Wade (from 1740 until 1743)
translator:
Frederick Oakeley (in 1841)
arrangement of:
O Come, All Ye Faithful
translated version of:
Adeste fideles (original latin version)
4:13
5The First Nowell
organ:
Simon Preston (organist, conductor, composer)
choir vocals:
Choir of King’s College, Cambridge (in 1961)
conductor:
Sir David Willcocks (UK composer, organist, choral conductor) (in 1961)
arranger:
Sir David Willcocks (UK composer, organist, choral conductor)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
The Decca Record Company Limited (not a release label; for copyrights use only) (in 1961)
recorded at:
King’s College Cambridge in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, United Kingdom (in 1961)
recording of:
The First Nowell (in 1961)
lyricist, writer and composer:
[traditional] (special purpose artist)
part of:
Roud Folk Song Index (number: 682)
recording of:
The First Nowell (David Willcocks arrangement)
lyricist and composer:
[traditional] (special purpose artist)
arranger:
Sir David Willcocks (UK composer, organist, choral conductor)
arrangement of:
The First Nowell
4:53
6The Holly and the Ivy
organ:
David Briggs (English organist and composer) (on 1984-03-20)
vocals:
Choir of King’s College, Cambridge (on 1984-03-20)
conductor:
Stephen Cleobury (organist, conductor) (on 1984-03-20)
recorded at:
King’s College Cambridge in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, United Kingdom (on 1984-03-20)
recording of:
The Holly and the Ivy (on 1984-03-20)
lyricist and composer:
[traditional] (special purpose artist)
part of:
Roud Folk Song Index (number: 514)
2:40
7God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen
organ:
David Briggs (English organist and composer) (on 1984-03-20)
choir vocals:
Choir of King’s College, Cambridge (on 1984-03-20)
conductor:
Stephen Cleobury (organist, conductor) (on 1984-03-20)
recorded at:
King’s College Cambridge in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, United Kingdom (on 1984-03-20)
recording of:
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen (traditional, no arrangement credits here) (on 1984-03-20)
lyricist and composer:
[traditional] (special purpose artist)
part of:
Roud Folk Song Index (number: 394)
3:29
8Once in Royal David's City
engineer:
Simon Eadon (classical music engineer)
producer:
Christopher Hazell
organ:
David Briggs (English organist and composer) (from 1984-03-19 until 1984-03-20, on 1984-03-20)
treble flute:
Robin Barter
choir vocals:
Choir of King’s College, Cambridge (from 1984-03-19 until 1984-03-20)
solo soprano vocals:
Robin Barter (from 1984-03-19 until 1984-03-20)
vocals:
Choir of King’s College, Cambridge (on 1984-03-20)
conductor:
Stephen Cleobury (organist, conductor) (from 1984-03-19 until 1984-03-20, on 1984-03-20)
arranger:
Henry John Gauntlett
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
The Decca Record Company Limited (not a release label; for copyrights use only) (in 1984)
recorded at:
King’s College Chapel in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, United Kingdom (from 1984-03-19 until 1984-03-20) and King’s College Cambridge in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, United Kingdom (on 1984-03-20)
recording of:
Once in Royal David’s City (from 1984-03-19 until 1984-03-20)
lyricist:
Cecil Frances Alexander (in 1848)
composer:
Henry John Gauntlett (in 1849)
part of:
The New English Hymnal (hymn book) (number: 34)
recording of:
Once in Royal David’s City (on 1984-03-20)
lyricist:
Cecil Frances Alexander (in 1848)
composer:
Henry John Gauntlett (in 1849)
part of:
The New English Hymnal (hymn book) (number: 34)
recording of:
Once in Royal David’s City (harmony Arthur Mann, descant Stephen Cleobury)
lyricist:
Cecil Frances Alexander (in 1848)
additional composer:
Stephen Cleobury (organist, conductor) and Arthur Henry Mann (English organist and composer)
composer:
Henry John Gauntlett (in 1849)
publisher:
Novello
version of:
Once in Royal David’s City (arr. Mann)
4:26
9Coventry Carol
choir vocals:
Choir of King’s College, Cambridge
vocals:
Choir of King’s College, Cambridge (in 1962-08)
conductor:
Sir David Willcocks (UK composer, organist, choral conductor) (in 1962-08)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
The Decca Record Company Limited (not a release label; for copyrights use only) (in 1962)
recorded at:
King’s College Cambridge in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, United Kingdom (in 1962-08)
recording of:
Coventry Carol (Martin Shaw arrangement) (in 1962-08)
lyricist and composer:
[traditional] (special purpose artist)
arranger:
Martin Shaw (British composer)
arrangement of:
Coventry Carol
recording of:
Coventry Carol (Martin Shaw arrangement) (in 1962)
lyricist and composer:
[traditional] (special purpose artist)
arranger:
Martin Shaw (British composer)
arrangement of:
Coventry Carol
2:15
10See Amid the Winter's Snow
vocals:
Choir of King’s College, Cambridge (in 1962-08)
conductor:
Sir David Willcocks (UK composer, organist, choral conductor) (in 1962-08)
recorded at:
King’s College Cambridge in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, United Kingdom (in 1962-08)
recording of:
See amid the winter’s snow (arr. Willcocks) (in 1962-08)
arranger:
Sir David Willcocks (UK composer, organist, choral conductor)
arrangement of:
See Amid the Winter’s Snow (carol)
3:54
11Darke: In the Bleak Midwinter
organ:
David Briggs (English organist and composer) (on 1984-03-20)
vocals:
Choir of King’s College, Cambridge (on 1984-03-20)
conductor:
Stephen Cleobury (organist, conductor) (on 1984-03-20)
recorded at:
King’s College Cambridge in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, United Kingdom (on 1984-03-20)
recording of:
In the Bleak Midwinter (Harold Edwin Darke version) (on 1984-03-20)
lyricist:
Christina Rossetti
composer:
Harold Edwin Darke (in 1909)
publisher:
Oxford University Press
version of:
In the Bleak Midwinter (poem)
4:17
12Away in a Manger
vocals:
Choir of King’s College, Cambridge (in 1958-12)
conductor:
Sir David Willcocks (UK composer, organist, choral conductor) (in 1958-12)
recorded at:
King’s College Cambridge in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, United Kingdom (in 1958-12)
recording of:
Away in a Manger (aka “Cradle Song” composed by William J. Kirkpatrick) (in 1958-12)
additional lyricist:
Charles Hutchinson Gabriel (in 1892)
lyricist:
[anonymous] (special purpose artist)
composer:
William James Kirkpatrick (hymn-writer) (in 1895)
part of:
Roud Folk Song Index (number: 25304)
is based on:
Sweet Afton (set to music by Jonathan E. Spilman, 1837)
translated version of:
Y Preseb
2:28
13Sussex Carol (On Christmas Night)
organ:
David Briggs (English organist and composer) (on 1984-03-20)
vocals:
Choir of King’s College, Cambridge (on 1984-03-20)
conductor:
Stephen Cleobury (organist, conductor) (on 1984-03-20)
recorded at:
King’s College Cambridge in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, United Kingdom (on 1984-03-20)
recording of:
Sussex Carol (On Christmas Night) (on 1984-03-20)
lyricist and composer:
[traditional] (special purpose artist)
part of:
Roud Folk Song Index (number: 597)
1:59
14Silent Night
engineer:
Simon Eadon (classical music engineer)
producer:
Christopher Hazell
organ:
David Briggs (English organist and composer) (from 1984-03-19 until 1984-03-20)
choir vocals:
Choir of King’s College, Cambridge (from 1984-03-19 until 1984-03-20)
vocals:
Choir of King’s College, Cambridge (on 1984-03-20)
conductor:
Stephen Cleobury (organist, conductor) (from 1984-03-19 until 1984-03-20, on 1984-03-20)
arranger:
Stephen Cleobury (organist, conductor)
recorded at:
King’s College Chapel in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, United Kingdom (from 1984-03-19 until 1984-03-20) and King’s College Cambridge in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, United Kingdom (on 1984-03-20)
recording of:
Silent Night (Christmas carol, English translation) (from 1984-03-19 until 1984-03-20)
lyricist:
Josef Mohr (composer/author) (in 1816)
composer:
Franz Xaver Gruber (composer/author) (in 1818)
translator:
John Freeman Young (in 1859)
part of:
Roud Folk Song Index (number: 27088)
translated version of:
Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht
recording of:
Silent Night (Christmas carol, English translation) (on 1984-03-20)
lyricist:
Josef Mohr (composer/author) (in 1816)
composer:
Franz Xaver Gruber (composer/author) (in 1818)
translator:
John Freeman Young (in 1859)
part of:
Roud Folk Song Index (number: 27088)
translated version of:
Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht
recording of:
Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht
lyricist:
Josef Mohr (composer/author) (in 1816)
composer:
Franz Xaver Gruber (composer/author) (in 1818)
part of:
Oh, What a Lovely War! (stage musical)
2:36
15Past Three O'Clock
choir vocals:
Choir of King’s College, Cambridge
vocals:
Choir of King’s College, Cambridge (in 1961)
conductor:
Sir David Willcocks (UK composer, organist, choral conductor) (in 1961)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
The Decca Record Company Limited (not a release label; for copyrights use only) (in 1961)
recorded at:
King’s College Cambridge in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, United Kingdom (in 1961)
recording of:
Past Three O'clock (in 1961)
lyricist:
George Ratcliffe Woodward
composer:
[traditional] (special purpose artist)
recording of:
Past Three a Clock (arr. Charles Wood)
lyricist:
George Ratcliffe Woodward
composer:
[traditional] (special purpose artist)
arranger:
Charles Wood (Irish composer)
arrangement of:
Past Three O'clock
2:38
16Britten: A Hymn to the Virgin
vocals:
Choir of King’s College, Cambridge (on 1996-07-05)
conductor:
Stephen Cleobury (organist, conductor) (on 1996-07-05)
recorded at:
King’s College Cambridge in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, United Kingdom (on 1996-07-05)
recording of:
A Hymn to the Virgin (on 1996-07-05)
lyricist:
[anonymous] (special purpose artist)
composer:
Benjamin Britten (English composer, conductor, and pianist) (from 1930-07-09 until 1934-04-29)
premiered at:
[event] (1931-01-05)
publisher:
Boosey & Hawkes (publisher; do NOT use as release label)
3:57
17In dulci jubilo
vocals:
Choir of King’s College, Cambridge (in 1958-12)
conductor:
Sir David Willcocks (UK composer, organist, choral conductor) (in 1958-12)
recorded at:
King’s College Cambridge in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, United Kingdom (in 1958-12)
recording of:
In dulci jubilo (macaronic of English and Latin) (in 1958-12)
lyricist and composer:
[traditional] (special purpose artist)
arranger and translator:
Robert Lucas Pearsall (composer)
translated version of:
In dulci iubilo (original traditional version in macaronic alteration of medieval German and Latin, use also for unspecified versions)
3:39
18Gabriel's Message
organ:
Simon Preston (organist, conductor, composer) (in 1958-12)
vocals:
Choir of King’s College, Cambridge (in 1958-12)
conductor:
Sir David Willcocks (UK composer, organist, choral conductor) (in 1958-12)
recorded at:
King’s College Cambridge in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, United Kingdom (in 1958-12)
recording of:
Gabriel's Message (arr. Willcocks) (in 1958-12)
lyricist and composer:
[traditional] (special purpose artist)
arranger:
Sir David Willcocks (UK composer, organist, choral conductor)
arrangement of:
The Angel Gabriel
2:51
19The Seven Joys of Mary
organ:
David Briggs (English organist and composer) (on 1984-03-20)
vocals:
Choir of King’s College, Cambridge (on 1984-03-20)
conductor:
Stephen Cleobury (organist, conductor) (on 1984-03-20)
recorded at:
King’s College Cambridge in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, United Kingdom (on 1984-03-20)
recording of:
The Seven Joys of Mary (on 1984-03-20)
composer:
[traditional] (special purpose artist)
3:17
20I Saw Three Ships
vocals:
Choir of King’s College, Cambridge (on 1984-03-20)
conductor:
Stephen Cleobury (organist, conductor) (on 1984-03-20)
recorded at:
King’s College Cambridge in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, United Kingdom (on 1984-03-20)
recording of:
I Saw Three Ships (on 1984-03-20)
lyricist and composer:
[traditional] (special purpose artist)
part of:
Roud Folk Song Index (number: 700)
1:32
21Rocking Carol (Little Jesu Sweetly Sleep)
vocals:
Choir of King’s College, Cambridge (in 1959)
conductor:
Sir David Willcocks (UK composer, organist, choral conductor) (in 1959)
recorded at:
King’s College Cambridge in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, United Kingdom (in 1959)
recording of:
Rocking (Little Jesus, Sweetly Sleep) (in 1959)
composer:
[traditional] (special purpose artist)
1:42
22Cornelius: The Three Kings
choir vocals:
Choir of King’s College, Cambridge
vocals:
Choir of King’s College, Cambridge (in 1964)
conductor:
Sir David Willcocks (UK composer, organist, choral conductor) (in 1964)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
The Decca Record Company Limited (not a release label; for copyrights use only) (in 1965)
recorded at:
King’s College Cambridge in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, United Kingdom (in 1964)
recording of:
The Three Kings (in 1964)
lyricist:
Peter Cornelius (German composer, lived from 1824 to 1874) and Philipp Nicolai
composer:
Peter Cornelius (German composer, lived from 1824 to 1874)
arranger:
Sir Ivor Atkins (English organist and conductor)
translator:
Herbert Newell Bate
translated version of:
Weihnachtslieder, op. 8: III. Die Könige
2:46
23The Infant King (Old Basque)
organ:
David Briggs (English organist and composer) (on 1984-03-20)
vocals:
Choir of King’s College, Cambridge (on 1984-03-20)
conductor:
Stephen Cleobury (organist, conductor) (on 1984-03-20)
recorded at:
King’s College Cambridge in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, United Kingdom (on 1984-03-20)
recording of:
Infant King (on 1984-03-20)
lyricist:
Sabine Baring‐Gould
composer:
[traditional] (special purpose artist)
3:12
24Adam Lay Ybounden
organ:
Simon Preston (organist, conductor, composer) (in 1958-12)
vocals:
Choir of King’s College, Cambridge (in 1958-12)
conductor:
Sir David Willcocks (UK composer, organist, choral conductor) (in 1958-12)
recorded at:
King’s College Cambridge in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, United Kingdom (in 1958-12)
recording of:
Adam lay ybounden (Boris Ord version) (in 1958-12)
writer:
[unknown] (Special Purpose Artist – Do not add releases here, if possible.)
composer:
Boris Ord
publisher:
Oxford University Press
version of:
Adam lay i-bowndyn (15th-century macaronic English poem)
1:24
25Christ Was Born on Christmas Day
vocals:
Choir of King’s College, Cambridge (in 1962)
conductor:
Sir David Willcocks (UK composer, organist, choral conductor) (in 1962)
recorded at:
King’s College Cambridge in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, United Kingdom (in 1962)
recording of:
Christ was born on Christmas Day (in 1962)
lyricist and composer:
[traditional] (special purpose artist)
translator:
John Mason Neale
translated version of:
Resonet in laudibus
2:25