on a Poem by Sister Grace José Capellas.

Photographs by Rick Powers.

This song was written as a Christmas gift for Sister Grace José and the Franciscan Academy of Syracuse, New York. She also gave the work its first performance during Christmas week in 1976. It is written for harp accompaniment with finger cymbals, and is intended to be danced as well. The recording is of a performance at the recital An Evening of New Music, on May 18,1977 at the Carrier Theater of the Mulroy Civic Center in Syracuse, New York by Sister Grace José Capellas, Gail Rupert Lyons harpist, and with dance and choreography by Pamela Reed.

LYRICS
If you bring me red berries - from a new holly tree -
I will string them on silver and twine them in my hair.
I will wander on the mountain-top and light a fire there - and I will dance,
I will dance, dance, I will sing my carolling and I will dance on Christmas morning.
If you bring me twelve stars - from a deep singing sky -
I will fashion a wreath for my waiting door -
I will wake my little golden harp - sweep the moonlight from the floor,
and I will dance, I will dance, dance, I will sing my carolling
and I will dance on Christmas night.
If you bring me Mary’s son I will hold him to my heart,
And in my two arms I will lift Him up. I will curve my hands around Him
like a crystal, like a cup - and I will dance,
I will dance, dance, how I will sing, how I will dance,
how I will dance on Christmas day!
Oooh (or hum)