Gaudete - Steeleye Span (Live, 1989)

Gaudete is a sacred Christmas carol, thought to have been composed in the 16th century. It was published in "Piae Cantiones", a collection of Finnish/Swedish sacred songs published in 1581. No music is given for the verses, but the standard tune comes from older liturgical books. The Latin text is a typical medieval song of praise, which follows the standard pattern for the time – a uniform series of four-line stanzas, each preceded by a two-line refrain (in the early English carol this was known as the burden). Carols could be on any subject, but typically they were about the Virgin Mary, the Saints or Yuletide themes. Steeleye Span released the song on their 1972 album "Below the Salt", and it became a hit single in 1973 (No. 14, UK singles chart). Guitarist Bob Johnson had heard the song when he attended a folk-carol service with his father-in-law in Cambridge, and brought it to the attention of the rest of the band. This performance was part of their 20th anniversary concert in 1989 at the Beck Theatre in London. There is a version already uploaded to YouTube, but this one was better quality. Maddy Prior: vocals Bob Johnson: vocals, electric guitar Peter Knight: vocals, violin Tim Harries: bass, keyboards, vocals Liam Genockey: drums, percussion Gaudete, gaudete, Christus est natus Ex Maria virgine, gaudete Gaudete, gaudete, Christus est natus Ex Maria virgine, gaudete Tempus adest gratiae, hoc quod optabamus Carmina laetitiae devote redamus Deus homo factus est natura mirante Mundus renovatus est a Christo regnante Ezechielis porta clausa per transitur Unde lux est orta salus invenitur Ergo nostra cantio psallat iam in lustro Benedicat domino salus regi nostro