It was written by English Roman Catholic poet and children's author Eleanor Farjeon (1881-1965), and first published in the Oxford Book of Carols in 1928 under the title "Carol of the Advent".
With meter 8.7.9.8.8.7, it is almost always set to the tune BESANÇON. This is a traditional French carol tune (sometimes described as Basque tune) that was earlier used in 1871 with an anonymous carol beginning ‘Shepherds, shake off your drowsy sleep’ in Christmas Carols New and Old (Bramley and Stainer).
With meter 8.7.9.8.8.7, it is almost always set to the tune BESANÇON. This is a traditional French carol tune (sometimes described as Basque tune) that was earlier used in 1871 with an anonymous carol beginning ‘Shepherds, shake off your drowsy sleep’ in Christmas Carols New and Old (Bramley and Stainer).
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Downloads
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Examples
Church choir at a carol service, unaccompanied
Church choir with organ
Small group with guitar-led band, professional recording
Singer with piano, up-tempo rendition
Children's choir with organ and guitar, professional recording
Singer, self-accompanied on guitar
Lyrics
The lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here. But they are currently available on this website. A rough outline is:1. People, look east. The time is near ...
.... Love, the guest, is on the way.
2. Furrows, be glad. Though earth is bare ...
.... Love, the rose, is on the way.
3. Birds, though you long have ceased to build ...,
.... Love, the bird, is on the way.
4. Stars, keep the watch. When night is dim ...
... Love, the star, is on the way.
5. Angels, announce with shouts of mirth
.... Love, the Lord, is on the way.
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