A New Year reflection on A New Year Carol (traditional)

A New Year Carol – traditional folk song (Welsh)

Here we bring new water from the well so clear,
For to worship God with, this happy New Year.
Sing levy dew, sing levy dew, the water and the wine;
The seven bright gold wires and the bugles that do shine.

Sing reign of Fair Maid, with gold upon her toe,
Open you the West Door, and turn the Old Year go.
Sing levy dew, sing levy dew, the water and the wine;
The seven bright gold wires and the bugles that do shine.

Sing reign of Fair Maid, with gold upon her chin,
Open you the East Door, and let the New Year in.
Sing levy dew, sing levy dew, the water and the wine;
The seven bright gold wires and the bugles that do shine.

In the chorus, sing levy dew, may come from ‘raise to God’ in French (Levez à Dieu) or levedy meaning “lady” in Middle English.
The ‘water and the wine’ suggest Holy Communion.

The gold wires may refer to the strings of a harp. Before the throne of God the four living creatures each hold a harp (Rev 5. 8)
and a sound ‘like harpists playing on their harps’ (Rev 14.2) is heard.  Alternatively this may an allusion to the seven sanctuary lamps.
Seven angels stand before God and they each have a trumpet or, in the carol, bugle (Rev 8. 2).

Verse one refers to the tradition in Wales of sprinkling people using a sprig of greenery with water fresh from a well.
(Does this remind us of the Easter Eve Ceremony using bunch of rosemary to sprinkle the congregation as they renew their baptismal vows?)
and of washing everything at the end of the old year. This would purify the house and welcome in the New Year.

Through the west door the last sunset of the old year could be seen and the dawn of the New Year comes from the east. The fair maid with the gold upon her toe or her chin might have originally referred to pagan imagery indicating the ending and beginning of the year but it is now more usually associated with the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Benjamin Britten wrote many songs for treble voice accompanied by piano. This is one of a set of twelve “Friday Afternoon songs”.
A gentle rocking accompaniment with pedal bass note introduces the carol.
This continues under the smoothly flowing melody until the ending when it becomes broader.
The vocal line is sung by trebles and is quiet, calm, peaceful and unhurried, occasionally rising a little in volume in the chorus.

To hear the carol –

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOFRZ9CQ8-w

The top item in this link gives a recording of the New Year Carol from Magdalen College Oxford 1984 performed by a soloist
Here is a version sung by the choristers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiHVRsqUNTI

We thank you, Father, all your blessings.
Help us to let go of all that keeps us from showing love to one another.
Strengthen us to live each day in the service of all who are in need
so that we can be lights in the world and peace makers.
May we be aware of your love, poured out upon us every day,
and keep us safe in your strong and gentle arms.
Amen