We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Natalis Dies Domini

by Katie Benoit

supported by
FoxPuppy
FoxPuppy thumbnail
FoxPuppy These are absolutely beautiful songs. They combine great vocal harmony performances with a stark beauty for songs custom made for a contemplative Christmas.
/
1.
Lu-li-lu-lay, thou little tiny child. By by lu-li, lu-lay. O sisters too, how may we do for to preserve this day this poor youngling for whom we sing By, by, lu-li lu-lay? Herod the king in his raging, charged he hath this day. His men of might, in his own sight. All children young to slay. Then woe is me, poor Child, for Thee, and ever mourn and say, For They parting nor say nor sing, By, by, lu-li, lu-lay Lu-li-lu-lay, thou little tiny child. By by lu-li, lu-lay.
2.
The Angel Gabriel from heaven came his wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame. "All hail" said he "Thou lowly maiden Mary most highly favoured lady." Gloria! "For know a blessed Mother thou shalt be all generations laud and honour thee. Thou son shall be Emmanuel by seers foretold most highly favored lady." Gloria! Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head, "To me be as it pleaseth God," she said. "My soul shall laud and magnify His Holy name." Most highly favored lady. Gloria! Of her Emmanuel the Christ was born in Bethlehem all on a Christmas morn, and Christian folk throughout the world will ever say, most highly favored lady. Gloria!

about

I was raised by a single mom who didn't specifically worship one religion or another, but the rest of her family were heavily into the Baptist faith. Add that to my rearing while living in the Ozarks in Missouri, and you'll note that I come from a fairly conservative background. (How I got where I am now, I don't know.)

During the holiday season, I especially loved Christmas carols and music. In the 80's, the first "A Very Special Christmas" compilation was released and I fell in love with it. There were, of course, all the standards of the season by popular artists, as well as "Christmas In Hollis" by Run-D.M.C. which I absolutely adored. (You don't want to hear me try to rap, though. It would be a total white girl disaster!) The tracks that stuck out the most for me were 2 of the more moody - perhaps even morose - tracks: "The Coventry Carol" performed by Alison Moyet (formerly of Yaz / Yazoo) and "Gabriel's Message" by Sting.

When I started to think about covering these 2 songs that are beloved to me, I found out that both were in public domain but I would need to arrange them. I found some sheet music and more or less stuck to what I found in the original public domain arrangements, adding my own vocal style to the songs. For "Coventry," I stuck to the original lyrics which are rather depressing but it fits the mood of the song and doesn't seem too out of place.

I chose the name of the single because it's Latin meaning "birthday of the Lord," which I thought was appropriate since "Gabriel's Message" talks about Jesus's birth.

Both of these tracks are acapella 2-part harmony songs with a little reverb and not much else. I won't shy away from singing acapella if the song calls for it, and both of these definitely did. Sometimes the simplest arrangements can have the most gravitas.

Happy holidays and enjoy!

credits

released November 29, 2017

All songs are traditional, arranged by Katie Benoit. Performed and produced by Katie Benoit.

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Moderate Potatoe Multimedia St. Louis, Missouri

Music from the mind of Cadence Benoit. I create music in various styles & genres because I get bored easily. My primary focus is on electronic music. Although my older music is more pop, my newer music is leaning more in different directions.

Previously known as equals the RAVEN, Katie Turner, DJ Jynx, Starbelle & DJ K8T, I also write prose as Caitlyn Benoit.
... more

contact / help

Contact Moderate Potatoe Multimedia

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like Natalis Dies Domini, you may also like: