Christmas Carol - It's a Knockout 2009 (Winner: O Come All Ye Faithful)

[Corki]

"It's A Knockout" continues this month but takes a break from creating the Band's Dream Band. The festive season means that the focus is on Christmasy songs and music. And you are in for a double bonazaa this Christmas, with a re-run of last year's "Christmas Carol - It's A Knockout" and one with your nominated tunes.

 

The aim of the re-run is to see if Hark! The Herald Angel Sings can maintain its crown, or if a different carol can win. Those that reached the semi-final last year are seeded this year as follows:

 

1. Hark the Herald Angels Sing

2. O Come All Ye Faithful

3. O Little Town of Bethlehem

4. Once in a Royal David's City

 

There shall be a few changes to the carols of last year in the 16 chosen carols. And therefore, "It's A Knockout" remains with the longer format this month - and this means there are 16 carols instead of 8!

 

 

"It's a Knockout" - Format

For those of you who have not been involved with a "It's A Knockout" thread before, the rules are quite simple. The Band of the Red Hand is DM's travel and music ORG, and "It's a Knockout" is a knock out competition to find out the winner of the chosen category (past categories include Micheal Jackson songs, Classical Music, One Hit Wonders). Each day, 2 bass players will be posted, along with a link so you can listen to some of their bass playing skills if you do not know it, and all you have to do is post who you think is the better bass player of the two. After a day, the votes will be counted, and the winning bass player will progress to the next round, until we only have 1 bass player left as the winner at the end of the competition - who will take their place in the Band's Dream Band. It's very simple, so I look forward to seeing you getting involved!

 

So without further a-do, let the competition begin!

[Corki]

RESULTS

 

Round 1

 

1. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (1) lost to We Three Kings of Orient Are (0-5)

2. Good King Wenceslas lost to O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (0-5)

3. Away in a Manger beat Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella (4-1)

4. It Came Upon the Midnight Clear lost to Once in a Royal David's City (4) (2-3)

5. O Little Town of Bethlehem (3) beat In a Bleak Midwinter (3-1)

6. While Shepherds Watched lost to God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (0-4)

7. Silent Night beat  I Saw Three Ships (3-1)

8. Ding Dong Merrily on High lost to O Come All Ye Faithful (2) (1-3)

 

2nd Round

 

1. We Three Kings of Orient Are lost to O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (2-3)

2. Away in a Manger lost to Once in a Royal David's City (4) (1-3)

3. O Little Town of Bethlehem (3) beat God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (3-2)

4. Silent Night lost to O Come All Ye Faithful (2) (0-4)

 

Semi-Final

 

1. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel lost to Once in a Royal David's City (4) (1-4)

2. O Little Town of Bethlehem (3) lost to O Come All Ye faithful (2) (1-4)

 

3rd/4th Play-off

 

1. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel lost to O Little Town of Bethlehem (3) (1-3)

 

Final

 

1. Once in a Royal David's City (4) lost to O Come All Ye faithful (2) (1-3)

[Corki]

THE CHOSEN CAROLS

 

1. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (1)

The tune normally used for this carol is based on a chorus composed by Felix Mendelssohn in 1840. The words were written by Charles Wesley. It first appeared in Hymns and Sacred Poems in 1739. For many years it has served as the recessional hymn of the annual Service of Nine Lessons and Carols in King's College Chapel, Cambridge.

2008 Record: Winner

 

 

2. We Three Kings of Orient Are

This epiphany carol was written and composed by Reverend John Henry Hopkins, Jr., and it is suggested to have been written in 1857 but did not appear in print until his Carols, Hymns and Song in 1863.

2008 Record: 2nd Round

 

 

3. Good King Wenceslas

This popular carol is about a king who goes out to give alms to a poor peasant on the Feast of Stephen (26th December). The words were written by John Mason Neale, with the music coming from Piae Cantiones. It based upon the legend of the historical Saint Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia (907–935).

2008 Record: 2nd Round

 

 

4. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

A new song for the 2009 contest. This is the English translation of the Latin Veni, veni, Emmanuel. This was translated by John Mason Neale in the mid-19th century. The text is based on the biblical prophesy from Isaiah 7:14 that states that God will give Israel a sign that will be called Immanuel.

2008 Record: N/A

 

 

5. Away in a Manger

A widely known Christmas carol, often sung at school nativity plays. The song was first published with two verses in 1885, but the author is unknown. The third stanza was added later, and there is again more mystery surrounding this.

2008 Record: 2nd Round

 

 

6. Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella

Another new carol for the 2009 contest. The carol originated in France and was first published in 1553. The carol tells the story of two milkmaids, Jeanette and Isabella, who go to milk their cows in a stable in Bethlehem, only to find the baby Jesus sleeping in the manger. The two girls run to town to tell the village of the coming of Christ, and the townspeople come with their own torches to view the sight for themselves. However, they have to keep their voices down so little Jesus can enjoy his dreams.

2008 Record: N/A

 

 

7. It Came Upon the Midnight Clear

It Came Upon the Midnight Clear is both a poem and Christmas carol written by Edmund Sears, and the music is by Richard Storrs Willis. It first appeared on December 29, 1849.

2008 Record: 1st Round

 

 

8. Once in a Royal David's City (4)

One of the better known carols, Once in a Royal David's City was originally a poem written by Cecil Frances Alexander in 1848. One year later, H.J. Gauntlett discovered the poem and set it to music. It is typically sung first in The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, with the first verse sung by a boy chorister as a solo, the second verse is sung by the choir, and the congregation joins in the third verse. Excluding the first verse, the hymn is accompanied by the organ.

2008 Record: 4th place

 

 

9. O Little Town of Bethlehem (3)

Another of the popular Christmas carols, inspiration for the words arose when the priest Phillips Brooks visited Bethlehem. His organist Lewis Redner composed the music, and this music is used most in the US. The English tune Forest Green, adapted by Ralph Vaughan Williams, is the tune that features in the UK.

2008 Record: 3rd place

 

 

10. In a Bleak Midwinter

The lyrics were written as a poem by English poet Christina Rossetti before 1872, and became a Christmas carol after it appeared in The English Hymnal in 1906 with Gustav Holst, composer of The Planets, arranging the music.

2008 Record: 1st Round

 

 

11. While Shepherds Watched

This is another popular Christmas carol, with the words attributed to Irish hymnist, lyricist and England's Poet Laureate, Nahum Tate. The exact date of the the lyrics is unknown, but it is sometime around 1700. Again, there is different music, with UK version using Winchester Old from Este's Psalter adapted from Christopher Tye, and the US adapting music from Handel.

2008: 1st Round

 

 

12. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

The composer to this carol is unknown. It was first published in 1833 but had been performed for a long time before this date. The melody is in a minor key and is in common time.

2008: 2nd Round

 

 

13. Silent Night

The original carol was written in German (Stille Nacht) by the Austrian Father Josef Mohr and the melody was composed by the Austrian headmaster Franz Xaver Gruber. In 1859, John Freeman Young published the English translation that is most frequently sung today. The first performace of the carol was on 24th December 1818.

2008 Record: 1st Round

 

 

14. I Saw Three Ships

This is another traditional and popular Christmas carol from England. The earliest printed version is from the 17th century, but its true originals are unknown.

2008: 1st Round

 

 

15. Ding Dong Merrily on High

The tune first appeared as far back as the 1500s as a secular dance tune known as Le branle de l'Official. Lyrics were added during the 1800s by George Ratcliffe Woodward, and was first published in 1924 in his The Cambridge Carol-Book.

2008: N/A

 

 

16. O Come All Ye Faithful (2)

O Come ALl Ye Faithful is the English translation of the Latin hymn, Adeste Fideles. It is attributed to John Francis Wade, with the English translation done by Frederick Oakeley. When it first originated is unknown, but since translation, the carol has expanded from 4 verses to 8. Personally, I prefer the Latin version (well, I do have bias), but both are great, great carols!

2008 Record: Runner-up

[Corki]

Round 1, Tie 1

 

 

 

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (1)

The tune normally used for this carol is based on a chorus composed by Felix Mendelssohn in 1840. The words were written by Charles Wesley. It first appeared in Hymns and Sacred Poems in 1739. For many years it has served as the recessional hymn of the annual Service of Nine Lessons and Carols in King's College Chapel, Cambridge.

2008 Record: Winner

 

 

vs.

 

 

We Three Kings of Orient Are

This epiphany carol was written and composed by Reverend John Henry Hopkins, Jr., and it is suggested to have been written in 1857 but did not appear in print until his Carols, Hymns and Song in 1863.

2008 Record: 2nd Round

 

 

Voting ends Saturday 12th December 2009 at 11pm (GMT)

[Corki]

Banders, Please Note:

 

Voting in "It's A Knockout" threads counts towards posting in an activity thread for points gained through the roll call. However, in order for that to qualify, you need to post and vote at least 4 times.

 

Corki

Marshal-General

ORG Leader

[Corki]

Time to start voting!

[Jeannaisais]

We Three Kings

[Talya]

We Threee Kings

[Krakalakachkn]

We Three Kings

 

Throwing this out there:  Straight No Chaser's version of this song is so freaking good

[Farcrie]

We Three Kings

[Corki]

And it looks like we have an upset in the first round as another vote goes to We Three Kings!

[Corki]

And time to wrap this up, and like all knockout contests, there shall be shocks! And we have one in the manner of the defending champion, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, being beaten comprehensively by We Three Kings of Orient Are by 5 votes to 0.

 

Time for the 2nd and 3rd ties of the 1st Round.

[Corki]

Round 1, Tie 2

 

 

 

Good King Wenceslas

This popular carol is about a king who goes out to give alms to a poor peasant on the Feast of Stephen (26th December). The words were written by John Mason Neale, with the music coming from Piae Cantiones. It based upon the legend of the historical Saint Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia (907–935).

2008 Record: 2nd Round

 

 

vs.

 

 

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

A new song for the 2009 contest. This is the English translation of the Latin Veni, veni, Emmanuel. This was translated by John Mason Neale in the mid-19th century. The text is based on the biblical prophesy from Isaiah 7:14 that states that God will give Israel a sign that will be called Immanuel.

2008 Record: N/A

 

 

Voting ends Monday 14th December 2009 at 11pm (GMT)

[Corki]

Round 1, Tie 3

 

 

 

Away in a Manger

A widely known Christmas carol, often sung at school nativity plays. The song was first published with two verses in 1885, but the author is unknown. The third stanza was added later, and there is again more mystery surrounding this.

2008 Record: 2nd Round

Sung by King's College, Cambridge Choir

 

 

vs.

 

 

Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella

Another new carol for the 2009 contest. The carol originated in France and was first published in 1553. The carol tells the story of two milkmaids, Jeanette and Isabella, who go to milk their cows in a stable in Bethlehem, only to find the baby Jesus sleeping in the manger. The two girls run to town to tell the village of the coming of Christ, and the townspeople come with their own torches to view the sight for themselves. However, they have to keep their voices down so little Jesus can enjoy his dreams.

2008 Record: N/A

Mormon Tabernacle Choir

 

 

Voting ends Monday 14th December 2009 at 11pm (GMT)

[Stevros]

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel & Away in a Manger

[Krakalakachkn]

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel and Away in a Manger

[Jeannaisais]

O Come, O Come Emanuel and Bring a Torch Jeannette, Isabella

[el Nynaeve]

O Come, O Come Emmanuel and Away in a Manger

[Corki]

O Come, O Come Emmanuel and Away in a Manger

 

[Corki]

Time to wrap up the second and third ties of this.

 

In the second tie, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel saw off Good King Wenceslas by 5 votes to 0 to progress.

 

Away in a Manger beat Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella 4-1 in the the other tie to advance to the next round.

 

I am now going to complete the remaining first round ties, so give me a while to set them up.

[Corki]

Round 1, Tie 4

 

 

 

It Came Upon the Midnight Clear

It Came Upon the Midnight Clear is both a poem and Christmas carol written by Edmund Sears, and the music is by Richard Storrs Willis. It first appeared on December 29, 1849.

2008 Record: 1st Round

From the Royal Albert Hall, London

 

 

vs.

 

 

Once in a Royal David's City (4)

One of the better known carols, Once in a Royal David's City was originally a poem written by Cecil Frances Alexander in 1848. One year later, H.J. Gauntlett discovered the poem and set it to music. It is typically sung first in The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, with the first verse sung by a boy chorister as a solo, the second verse is sung by the choir, and the congregation joins in the third verse. Excluding the first verse, the hymn is accompanied by the organ.

2008 Record: 4th place

 

 

Voting ends Sunday 20th December 2009 at 11pm (GMT)

[Corki]

Round 1, Tie 5

 

 

 

O Little Town of Bethlehem (3)

Another of the popular Christmas carols, inspiration for the words arose when the priest Phillips Brooks visited Bethlehem. His organist Lewis Redner composed the music, and this music is used most in the US. The English tune Forest Green, adapted by Ralph Vaughan Williams, is the tune that features in the UK.

2008 Record: 3rd place

Sung at the Royal Albert Hall, London

 

 

vs.

 

 

In a Bleak Midwinter

The lyrics were written as a poem by English poet Christina Rossetti before 1872, and became a Christmas carol after it appeared in The English Hymnal in 1906 with Gustav Holst, composer of The Planets, arranging the music.

2008 Record: 1st Round

 

 

Voting ends Sunday 20th December 2009 at 11pm (GMT)

[Corki]

Round 1, Tie 6

 

 

 

While Shepherds Watched

This is another popular Christmas carol, with the words attributed to Irish hymnist, lyricist and England's Poet Laureate, Nahum Tate. The exact date of the the lyrics is unknown, but it is sometime around 1700. Again, there is different music, with UK version using Winchester Old from Este's Psalter adapted from Christopher Tye, and the US adapting music from Handel.

2008: 1st Round

 

 

vs.

 

 

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

The composer to this carol is unknown. It was first published in 1833 but had been performed for a long time before this date. The melody is in a minor key and is in common time.

2008: 2nd Round

 

 

Voting ends Sunday 20th December 2009 at 11pm (GMT))

[Corki]

Round 1, Tie 7

 

 

 

Silent Night

The original carol was written in German (Stille Nacht) by the Austrian Father Josef Mohr and the melody was composed by the Austrian headmaster Franz Xaver Gruber. In 1859, John Freeman Young published the English translation that is most frequently sung today. The first performace of the carol was on 24th December 1818.

2008 Record: 1st Round

Mormon Tabernacle Choir

 

 

vs.

 

 

I Saw Three Ships

This is another traditional and popular Christmas carol from England. The earliest printed version is from the 17th century, but its true originals are unknown.

2008: 1st Round

Sung by the choir of King's College, Cambridge

 

 

Voting ends Sunday 20th December 2009 at 11pm (GMT)

[Corki]

Round 1, Tie 8

 

 

 

Ding Dong Merrily on High

The tune first appeared as far back as the 1500s as a secular dance tune known as Le branle de l'Official. Lyrics were added during the 1800s by George Ratcliffe Woodward, and was first published in 1924 in his The Cambridge Carol-Book.

2008: N/A

 

 

vs.

 

 

O Come All Ye Faithful (2)

O Come ALl Ye Faithful is the English translation of the Latin hymn, Adeste Fideles. It is attributed to John Francis Wade, with the English translation done by Frederick Oakeley. When it first originated is unknown, but since translation, the carol has expanded from 4 verses to 8. Personally, I prefer the Latin version (well, I do have bias), but both are great, great carols!

2008 Record: Runner-up

 

 

Voting ends Sunday 20th December 2009 at 11pm (GMT)