{"product_id":"the-christmas-revels-in-celebration-of-the-winter-solstice-1","title":"The Christmas Revels: In Celebration of the Winter Solstice","description":"Track Listing \u003cbr\u003e  1. Abbots Bromley Horn Dance\u003cbr\u003e  2. Room's Opening Lines \u003cbr\u003e  3. Wassail Carol \u003cbr\u003e  4. Father Christmas Verse \u003cbr\u003e  5. Boar's Head Carol, The \u003cbr\u003e  6. Constant Billy \u003cbr\u003e  7. Here We Come a-Wassailing \u003cbr\u003e  8. Villagers All! \u003cbr\u003e  9. There Was a Pig \u003cbr\u003e  10. Monk's March, The \u003cbr\u003e  11. Dargason \u003cbr\u003e  12. Fra Giovanni \u003cbr\u003e  13. Holly and the Ivy, The \u003cbr\u003e  14. Fool's Verse \u003cbr\u003e  15. Lord of the Dance \u003cbr\u003e  16. Brass Fanfare \u003cbr\u003e  17. Masters in This Hall \u003cbr\u003e  18. Shakespeare Lines \u003cbr\u003e  19. Nova! Nova! \u003cbr\u003e  20. Nativity \u003cbr\u003e  21. Alle Psallite Cum Luya \u003cbr\u003e  22. Moon Shines Bright, The \u003cbr\u003e  23. St. George's Verse \u003cbr\u003e  24. Sword Dance Tunes \u003cbr\u003e  25. Shortest Day, The \u003cbr\u003e  26. Wren Song, The \u003cbr\u003e  27. Apple Tree Wassail \u003cbr\u003e  28. 12 Days of Christmas, The \u003cbr\u003e  29. Fool's Farewell, The \u003cbr\u003e  30. Sussex Mummers' Carol \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e There are Christians who refuse to celebrate the season because of its pagan origins, grounded in Solstice revels. These origins were made abundantly clear when John Langstaff first staged the Christmas Revels in New York City's Town Hall in 1957. The Revels, then, were a celebration of the rebirth of the New Year, but Langstaff added a twist. He would also enfold Christ -- the \"Lord of the Dance\" -- into his pageant, arguing that His death and rebirth fit perfectly into ancient pagan ritual. This 1978 version of The Christmas Revels offers but one version of the ever-evolving procession, featuring Langstaff as lead baritone on favorites like \"The Boar's Head Carol\" and \"Lord of the Dance.\" A large cast, performing choral vocals, spoken parts, and instrumentals, brings an energetic dignity to a mixture of traditional songs, dances, ritual, and poetry. While the spoken portions of the Revels probably work better in a live theater experience, its important to remember that the program is meant as a community celebration. While some people will find this music a bit eccentric, the sort of thing one might hear on public radio on Christmas Eve; The Christmas Revels breaks away from yet another version of \"Silent Night\" and offers a refreshing way to celebrate the season. Pagans of all stripes will also be glad to have a holiday album to call their own. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Revels Records","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":52045968998680,"sku":"738871107824","price":13.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0687\/4346\/3192\/files\/101133.jpg?v=1778462624","url":"https:\/\/hbdirect.com\/products\/the-christmas-revels-in-celebration-of-the-winter-solstice-1","provider":"HBDirect","version":"1.0","type":"link"}