Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella

This arrangement of Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella draws its character from the story of the text, as well as the melody’s historical roots as a drinking/dance song. Generally upbeat and uptempo, the mood of the music tracks closely to the story of Jeanette and Isabella, two young farmhands who have discovered the baby Jesus and rush to inform the whole town and bring them to the manger. Scored for evenly divided SSAATTBB a cappella voices, this powerful setting is a challenging but accessible concert number for more advanced choirs.

Difficulty: Advanced

Voicing: SATB

Accompaniment: A Cappella

Lyrics:

Bring a torch! Jeanette, Isabella. Bring a torch, come quickly and run! Christ is born, tell the folk of the village. Mary has laid Him in a manger. Ah! Ah! Beautiful is the mother. Ah! Ah! Virtuous is the father. Ah! Ah! Wonderful is The Child.

At the stable who now comes knocking? Who comes knocking upon the door? Grant us entrance, ’tis gifts we come bearing. All of our finest we shall give Him. Toc! Toc! Grant us entrance, gifts we bring. Toc! Toc! Celebrate now the Son!

It is wrong when the baby is sleeping, it is wrong to speak so loud. Silence now as you gather around, lest your noise should waken Jesus. Hush! Hush! See how The Baby slumbers. Hush! Hush! See how He smiles in dreams!

Hasten now, good folk of the village, hasten now, the Christ Child to see. You will find Him asleep in a manger, look at Him there, His cheeks are rosy! Haste! Haste! Follow Jeanette and run! Haste! Haste! Come, Isabella, come! Haste! Haste! Bring a torch and run!