Winter Traditions: The Kylemore Carols

The Kylemore Carols

The Kylemore carols are a beautiful collection of Christmas carols from the village of Kylemore.

In the depths of harsh winter, a reminder of sacred celebration invests these haunting old melodies, many of which are sung to this day in Kylemore and elsewhere.

For a sample of "The Darkest Midnight," arguably the most well-known and loved Kylemore Carol, see track number six on the album 'To Warm the Winter's Night.'

Traditionally carols were songs of the people sung in the vernacular and were not sung in church which had a strict Latin Canon.

 It was not until the introduction of more lenient rules under Vatican II that carols sung in English and Gaelic (Irish) were allowed to be sung in church.  Originally, carols such as these were sung in homes and communities were often part of the folk tradition.  

 
The Darkest Midnight

The darkest midnight in December
no snow nor hail nor winter storm
Shall hinder us for to remember
the babe that on this night was born
With shepherds we are come to see
this lovely infant's glorious charms
Born of a maid as the prophets said
the God of love in Mary's arms.
 
Have you not heard the sacred story,
how man was made those seats to fill
Which the fallen angels lost in glory
through their presumption, pride and will
They thought us mean for to obtain
such glorious seats and crowns in heaven
So through a cheat they got Eve to eat
the fruit to be avenged on man.
 
Ye blessed angels join our voices
let your guilded wings beat fluttering o'er
While every soul set free rejoices
and every one now must adore
We'll sing and pray that he always may
Good people one and all defend
God grant us grace in all our days
a Merry Christmas and a Happy end.