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Nobilis Humilis​/​In The Winter Night

from Winter And The Sacred Tree by To Wake You

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In this suite, we explored the first half of the 13th century conductus Nobilis Humilis and interwove that theme into a new composition. We relied upon Harold Gleason’s edition, published in 1942, Examples of Music Before 1400 though the original manuscript is housed in Upsala C233. Harp arrangement: Karoline Hausted // Words for In the Winter Night: Karoline Hausted // Spoken word arrangement: Mark Davis

Magnus Erlendsson was an earl of the Orkney Islands who was made saint when Christianity was being established in the North, and whose story is told in the Norse sagas.
Nobilis Humilis is a hymn composed in that era celebrating St. Magnus.

Many ancient Norse symbols, idols, words and place names have survived or have been given new meanings in the Christian world. One
example is the word Yule, which is known to be associated with the ancient Winter Solstice
festivals. Nobilis Humilis/In The Winter Night is in honor of both past and present. It is a bringing together of the layers of the season, speaking to the age-old life-and-death dependency upon the return of the sun -
transitioned into the activities of today’s Yule feast.

lyrics

Nobilis Humilis, Magne martyr stabilis
Habilis, utilis, comes venerabilis…

The winter sky is darkening,
the tide is closing in
Over forest, hill and dale
soars the Northern wind
Every shifting shape
and ghostly creature’s on the run
Good hearts stay awake in vigil
waiting for the sun

While lighting candles in the house
we listen for the sound
Of sacred bells to break
and turn the darkness around
On this the longest nights of all
our song and dance will shine
Holding hands around the tree; a circle of light

In the winter night the valley bells chime
The wolf and raven ride, the Evergreen shines
Until the sun again
Above the mountain rim will rise

In the pale moonlight I can see my own shadow
Making tireless attempts to catch me in the snow
I hang a gift on every branch of fir that I pass
Asking all good spirits to help me safe across

Far away in the woods
there stands an Evergreen
A well of water at its roots;
a gathering of dreams
From its endless deep
pours out the bending Milky Way
The shimmering of candles
that we burn ‘til light of day

In the winter night the valley bells chime
The wolf and raven ride, the Evergreen shines
Until the sun again
Above the mountain rim will rise

credits

from Winter And The Sacred Tree, released November 11, 2021

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To Wake You San Luis Obispo, California

Eight years is a long time. Long enough, in fact, that it may justify the use of the term ‘destiny’ when describing the Shakespearean-esque coming together of San Luis Obispo, CA’s To Wake You; the main difference here being that this story seems set for anything other than tragedy. ... more

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