"WHAT SWEETER MUSIC?"

This beautiful hymn is a musical setting of a poem by Robert Herrick (1591-1674). It was originally titled "A Christmas Carol, Sung to the King in the Presence at White-Hall." (The king referenced was Charles I.) Here is another interesting article about Robert Herrick.

The music is by John Rutter composer, conductor, editor and arranger. It is my favorite piece of Christmas music.

Here is a video of the King's College choir performing the piece in 2008:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ucVQSJunR4

Here is another version, also sung by the King's College choir, and showing the music and text:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0un4VPPZDug

The words, an abridged form of Herrick's original poem, are especially beautiful. Here, rain is described as "turning the patient ground to flowers."

What sweeter music can we bring
Than a carol, for to sing
The birth of this our heavenly King?...

Dark and dull night fly hence away,
And give the honor to this day
That sees December turned to May...

We see him come, and know him ours,
Who, with his sunshine and his showers,
Turns all the patient ground to flowers...