Come Let Us All
Posted in Religious, Choral, Christmas music on Jul 22nd, 2008 No Comments »
Organs weren’t introduced into most English churches until the middle of the nineteenth century. When they were they had a profound effect on church music. Before, church singing was simpler, rougher, and more homely. After, it became smoother and more solemn. The earlier style is now referred to as West Gallery music - on account of the choirs and musicians stationing themselves in the West Gallery. Choirs were accompanied by local bands - of violins, cellos, flutes, cornets and other assorted wind instruments, including the strange Serpent. These bands doubled for secular dances at local inns and halls -see the early dance scene in the BBC’s 1995 version of ‘Pride and Prejudice’ which recreates such a band. In Thomas Hardy’s “Under the Greenwood Tree” too there is a memorable evocation of a West Gallery band and choir.
Over the last twenty years or so there has been something of a revival in West Gallery music - and a joy it is to hear. From recordings I have heard I suspect that modern recreations smooth out the roughness and off pitch intonation of the originals. Here, however, is ‘Come Let Us All’ . It is sung at Christmas time. I don’t know where I got this from, but it captures perfectly the original rustic, homely quality of the music, sung in a regional (Dorset?) accent, with delightful added aitches to make ‘hangels’ - a touching attempt to poshen up their style.
Afterthought: Listening to it again I realise that in among the strings and woodwind there is an organ, sounding the death knell of the band - and making the singing more poignant.
