One of the joys of observing the Christian kalendar (yes, Virginia, that is a proper spelling) is Christmastide. On the tenth day of Christmas, here is a recording of the choir of King’s College, Cambridge singing John Gardner’s setting of “Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day”. The carol highlights how the whole of Christ’s life is an invitation calling out to the beloved. Its full length is eleven stanzas, but four of which are in this performance. The first time I heard this carol live it was sung by the Saint Bartholomew’s Choir, NYC, with Bill Trafka at the organ. The mirth beneath my chasuble so possessed me I nearly lost my place in the liturgy. Doxa!

1. Tomorrow shall be my dancing day; / I would my true love did so chance / To see the legend of my play, / To call my true love to my dance;

Chorus: Sing, oh! my love, oh! my love, my love, my love, / This have I done for my true love

2. Then was I born of a virgin pure, / Of her I took fleshly substance / Thus was I knit to man’s nature / To call my true love to my dance. [Chorus]

3. In a manger laid, and wrapped I was / So very poor, this was my chance / Betwixt an ox and a silly poor ass / To call my true love to my dance. [Chorus]

4. Then afterwards baptized I was; / The Holy Ghost on me did glance, / My Father’s voice heard from above, / To call my true love to my dance. [Chorus]