Bethlehem
Released: November 2020
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With the opening lyrics, “then a shoot will spring out from the branch of Jesse,” Bethlehem, the long-awaited Christmas album by Storyhill, arrives as if a resulting clause to in a year that is sorely in need of some hope and joy. This collection combines hopeful themes from the prophet Isaiah, traditional Christmas carols, and original material to both comfort the listener and compel positive engagement in the world. Storyhill’s signature plaintive harmonies lend themselves well to the traditional tunes like Lo, How a Rose is Blooming, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, and It Came Upon the Midnight Clear, turning old classics into folk-duo anthems. A trio of originals on the second half of the album, Could It Be, The New Colossus, and High Road remind listeners that the hoped-for gift of Christmas will result in their own change to bring about a better world. Whether you are sitting by the fire sipping cocoa as the snow falls or hard at work in a dull and dreary world, Bethlehem is this season’s soundtrack.
Credits + Notes
Branch of Jesse - From Isaiah 11, written by Storyhill
The Hills are Bare at Bethlehem - Text by Royce Sherf 1929-2017, melody: Prospect (Graham) Southern Harmony, arr. Storyhill
Seen a Light - From Isaiah 9, written by Storyhill
Lo, How a Rose Is Blooming - German, 15th c. English translation by Theodore Baker 1851-1934, arr. Storyhill
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel - Text translation by John Mason Neale 1861, melody Traditional French “Bone Jesu dulcis cunctis” 15th c. arr. Storyhill
It Came Upon the Midnight Clear - Text by Edmund Sears, melody written by Storyhill
Could It Be - Written by Storyhill
Cold December Flies Away - Traditional Catalonian carol, text by unknown and Storyhill, arr. Storyhill
The New Colossus - Text from “The New Colossus” by Emma Lazarus 1849-1887, melody written by Storyhill
High Road - Written by Storyhill
Silent Night - Text by Joseph Mohr, Music by Franz Xaver Gruber 1818, arr. Storyhill
