December 7, 2023 - Good Morning! It's Thursday, December 7.
We continue, this week, to look at stories behind Christmas songs. Most of our favorite carols were written in the 1800‘s and some before that. Today we focus on a modern carol, written in the 20th century.
Alfred Burt was born in 1920. He served as an officer in the army during World War II. A gifted musician, he carved out a career as a jazz and symphonic trumpeter and music arranger. Burt’s father was a minister and had a unique holiday tradition. On the back of the Christmas cards he sent out to friends he included a new Christmas carol, specially created each year. In the late 1940‘s he died and his son continued the tradition.
These new carols began to gain attention in the music community. And in 1954 they were made into a record album and arranged for choirs. Just a few months later Alfred Burt died, at the young age of 33. The Burt Carols, as they are now known, are a staple of high school and college and church choirs. I’ve had the blessing of singing and directing them many times over the years.
My favorite Burt carol is called “Some Children See Him”. It has been recorded countless times over the last half century. My favorite recording is a sweet rendition by James Taylor. Google it . . . you’ll be blessed. Here are the sweet lyrics.
Some children see Him lily white, the baby Jesus born this night
Some children see Him lily white with tresses soft and fair
Some children see Him bronzed and brown, the Lord of heav’n to earth come down
Some children see Him bronzed and brown with dark and heavy hair
Some children see Him almond-eyed, this Savior whom we kneel beside
Some children see Him almond-eyed with skin of golden hue
Some children see Him dark as they, sweet Mary’s Son to whom we pray
Some children see Him dark as they, and oh they love Him, too
The children in each different place will see the baby Jesus’ face
Like theirs, but bright with heavenly grace and filled with holy light
O lay aside each earthly thing and with thy heart as offering
Come worship now the infant King, ‘tis love that’s born tonight!
Meet you back here tomorrow,
Bro. David
dmathis@fbccenter.org
