LOVE CAME DOWN AT CHRISTMAS (for SATB chorus) by Dan Locklair

LOVE CAME DOWN AT CHRISTMAS (Anthem for SATB chorus, a cappella, or with keyboard accompaniment) was composed in late spring of 2009 and is warmly dedicated to Marilyn Keiser and The Choir of Trinity Episcopal Church in Bloomington, Indiana.
Christina Rossetti (1830-1894), born in London, was a devout Anglican and most of her poetic output is religious. Two of her most famous poems are ones for Christmastide : “In the Bleak Midwinter” and “Love Came Down at Christmas.” This brief choral work is based on the latter poem, which was published in Rossetti’s 1885 volume entitled “Time Flies: a Reading Diary.” At its publication, the poem was simply called, “Christmastide.” In her Introduction to R.W. Crump’s 2001 book (Penguin Books), “Christina Rossetti: The Complete Poems,” Betty S. Flowers provides a concise and beautiful overview of Rossetti’s poetry when she extols: "…the beauty of her lyricism, the perfect pitch and clarity of her line, the subtle effects of rhyme and rhythm." In a direct and simple manner, I have tried to capture these admirable poetic traits in my choral setting of Rossetti’s elegant words.
Duration : ca. 2’ 00”
Love came down at Christmas,
love all lovely, love divine;
love was born at Christmas:
star and angels gave the sign.
Worship we the Godhead,
love incarnate, love divine;
worship we our Jesus,
but wherewith for sacred sign?
Love shall be our token;
love be yours and love be mine,
love to God and [neighbor]*,
love for plea and gift and sign.
* Original words = “to all men”
This performance of LOVE CAME DOWN AT CHRISTMAS is by The Choir of Royal Holloway (Rupert Gough, conductor) from the May 2024 recording on the Convivium label, DAN LOCKLAIR FROM EAST TO WEST. (conviviumrecor...)
LOVE CAME DOWN AT CHRISTMAS is published by Subito Music. (www.subitomusi...)