Description

Now the Green Blade Rises' is a sprightly carol to sing in a madrigal style scored for 2 part treble voices, keyboard, flute, tambourine, and handbells (optional). Moderately easy, the canonic section could be done with unison voices and flute. The easy keyboard part enhances the vocal line without obscuring it. The Dorian melody ranges from E' to C-sharp. Careful intonation is important to the brightness of this modal scale. Stanza 1 is in unison with light handbell and keyboard accompaniment. Stanza 2 is a canon, with the flute doubling (or substituting for) the second voice. Stanza 3 is two part, beginning antiphonally, with handbells in a counter melody. Stanza 4 combines all instruments over unison voices. Associated with the Easter season, this text was written to the old French melody for 'Noel Nouvelet,' a Christmas carol. It first appeared in the Oxford Book of Carols in 1928, the year of its writing by J.M.C. Crum.

Voicing: Two-part with flute, handbells (2 octaves, tambourine, and keyboard)

Composer: Traditional French

Arranger: Shirley W. McRae

Text: John M. C. Crum (1872-1958)

Watch a preview of the full score and music here!

Additional Resources:
CGAC795 Now the Green Blade Rises (Accompaniment Track)