"Christmas," the poem by John Oxenford, was written in 1859, and was first performed at one of the concerts of the Musical Society of London, on the 9th of May 1860. The poem itself contains no story. It is merely a tribute to the season; but at the same time it is not destitute of incident, so that it possesses considerable dramatic interest.
After a short instrumental introduction the cantata opens with a double chorus in antiphonal style, in which both the bright and the dark sides of winter are celebrated. The second choir takes up the theme:--
"The trees lift up their branches bare Against the sky: Through the keen and nipping air For spring's return they seem to cry, As the winds with solemn tone About them sadly moan;"
"Old Winter's hand is always free, He scatters diamonds round; They dart their light from every tree, They glisten on the ground. Then who shall call the branches bare, When gems like those are sparkling there?"
The two then join and bring their friendly contest to a close:--
2nd Choir.--"Come in, and closely shut the door Against the wintry weather; Of frost and snow we'll think no more, While round the fire we sit together."
1st Choir.--"Rush out from every cottage door, 'Tis brave and bracing weather; A madder throng ne'er met before, Than those which now have come together."
This double number, which is very effective, is followed by a soprano recitative and romance ("Welcome, blest Season"), tender and yet joyous in character, which celebrates the delight of friendly reunions at Christmas tide, and the pleasure with which those long absent seek "the old familiar door." In the next number, an old English carol ("A Blessing on this noble House and all who in it dwell"), Christmas is fairly introduced. It is sung first in unison by full chorus, then changes to harmony, in which one choir retains the melody, and closes with a new subject for orchestral treatment, the united choirs singing the carol. Christmas would not be complete without its story; and this we have in the next number for contralto solo and chorus, entitled "A Christmas Tale." It is preceded by recitative, written in the old English style, and each verse closes with a refrain, first sung as a solo, and then repeated in full harmony by the chorus:--