Ancient Noels

1. Cantiga de Santa Maria, No. 48 
In medieval Spain, musicians from the court of Alfonso X (know as "El Sabio the Wise") created a large collection of cantigas or songs to praise the miracles of the Virgin Mary. They were derived from popular folksong and church plainchant. Hammered dulcimer, Celtic harp, recorder, treble viol, hand drum.
Artists: Maggie Sansone - Hammered dulcimer
Jim Brooks - recorder
Marica Diehl - recorder
Carolyn Anderson Surrick - vreble viol
Ben Harms - Hand drum
Producer: Charlie Pilzer

2. Gloucester Wassail / Tomorrow Will Be My Dancing Day / The Sussex Carol 
Three traditional English carols spanning the 16th to 18th centuries. Wassail is from the Anglo-Saxon phrase, "wes hal." It means "to be whole," and serves as a cheerful holiday greeting. Hammered dulcimer, fiddle, guitar, cittern.
Artists: Maggie Sansone - Hammered dulcimer
Zan McLeod - guitar, cittern
Bonnie Rideout - fiddle
Producer: Charlie Pilzer

3. Hoboekentanz / Schafertanz 
Two 16th century, four-part dance settings from the "Danserye," published in 1551 by the popular printer, composer, and musician, Tielman Susato (1500-1563). Hammered dulcimer, Celtic harp, recorders, concertina, bass viola da gamba, psaltery, hand drums, tambourine.
Artists: Maggie Sansone - Hammered dulcimer
Jim Brooks - recorder, concertina
Marica Diehl - recorder, psaltery
Sure Richards - Celtic harp
Carolyn Anderson Surrick - vreble viol, bass viola da gamba
Ben Harms - Hand drums, tambourine
Producer: Charlie Pilzer

4. O Bethlehem / Bethlehem's Stall / A Maiden Was Adoring God, The Lord / Great Gentlefolk, Hold And Bethink You
15th century carols from the Basque region (which encompasses the southwest part of France and the northwest part of Spain). Hammered dulcimer, Celtic harp, recorders, concertina, bass viola da gamba.
Artists: Maggie Sansone - Hammered dulcimer
Jim Brooks - recorder, concertina
Marica Diehl - recorder
Sure Richards - Celtic harp
Carolyn Anderson Surrick -bass viola da gamba
Producer: Charlie Pilzer

5. The Bellman's Song
Two versions of the traditional English carol from the 17th century, also know as "The Moon Shines Bright," with variations. Hammered dulcimer.
Artists: Maggie Sansone - Hammered dulcimer
Producer: Charlie Pilzer

6. The Truth Sent From Above
Two versions of a traditional English carol that blends the plain chant and folksong origins of the melody. Hammered dulcimer, cittern, treble viol, bass viola da gamba, hands drums, tambourines.
Artists: Maggie Sansone - Hammered dulcimer
Jim Brooks - recorder
Marica Diehl - recorder
Sure Richards - Celtic harp
Carolyn Anderson Surrick - bass viola da gamba
Ben Harms - Hand drums, tambourine
Zan McLeod - cittern
Producer: Charlie Pilzer

7. Nowell, Nowell: Tidings True / Riu, Riu, Chiu 
An English medieval carol and a popular Spanish tune from the Renaissance. Hammered dulcimer, recorders, fiddle, bass viola da gamba, hand drum and tambourine.
Artists: Maggie Sansone - Hammered dulcimer
Jim Brooks - recorder
Marica Diehl - recorders
Carolyn Anderson Surrick -bass viola da gamba
Ben Harms - Hand drums, tambourine
Bonnie Rideout - fiddle
Producer: Charlie Pilzer

8. I Must Go Gather Comfort / There Was A Maid So Lovely / When Judah's Loyal Soul Alone 
The chant-like quality of these 15th century Dutch carols ring with the mystery of the origins of Christmas. Hammered dulcimer, Celtic harp, recorders, pennywhistle, bass viola da gamba.
Artists: Maggie Sansone - Hammered dulcimer
Jim Brooks - recorder
Marica Diehl - recorder, pennywhistle
Sure Richards - Celtic harp
Carolyn Anderson Surrick - bass viola da gamba
Producer: Charlie Pilzer

9. Cantiga, A Madre Do Que Livrou 
A Spanish medieval song. Hammered dulcimer, treble viol.
Artists: Maggie Sansone - Hammered dulcimer
Carolyn Anderson Surrick - Treble viol
Producer: Charlie Pilzer

10. Whenas The Rose Of Jericho / A Year Begins Of Joy And Grace / To Us A Little Child Is Born 
This set of 15th century Dutch carols opens with the haunting sounds of the bowed psaltery, which is a zither originating the Middle East. Hammered dulcimer, Celtic harp, recorder, psaltery, bass viola da gamba, hand drum, tambourine, finger cymbals.
Artists: Maggie Sansone - Hammered dulcimer
Jim Brooks - recorder
Marica Diehl - recorders, psaltery
Sure Richards - Celtic harp
Carolyn Anderson Surrick - bass viola da gamba
Ben Harms - Hand drums, tambourine
Producer: Charlie Pilzer

11. The Donkey's Carol / The Friendly Beasts
A French medieval tune know in Latin as "Orientus Partibus." During the Middle Ages, it was sung as a processional while a donkey rode into the cathedral. The second tune is a traditional French children's carol derived from the medieval version. Hammered dulcimer, fiddle, guitar, bass viola da gamba, hand drum, bells.
Artists: Maggie Sansone - Hammered dulcimer
Sure Richards - Celtic harp
Carolyn Anderson Surrick -bass viola da gamba
Ben Harms - Hand drums, tambourine
Zan McLeod - guitar
Bonnie Rideout - fiddle
Producer: Charlie Pilzer

12. Here Betwixt Ass And Oxen Mild / The Golden Carol 
Traditional 18th century French and English carols. "Golden Carol" tells of the three kings' journey across the desert towards Bethlehem. Listen for lumbering camels! Hammered dulcimer, recorder, fiddle, guitar, bass viola da gamba, hand drums.
Artists: Maggie Sansone - Hammered dulcimer
Jim Brooks - recorder
Marica Diehl - recorders
Carolyn Anderson Surrick -bass viola da gamba
Ben Harms - Hand drums
Bonnie Rideout - fiddle
Producer: Charlie Pilzer

13. In The Bleak Midwinter 
A beautiful melody from the "English Hymnal," now a traditional favorite. Published in 1906, it was composed by Gustav Holst (1874-1934). Hammered dulcimer, Celtic harp.
Artists: Maggie Sansone - Hammered dulcimer
Sure Richards - Celtic harp
Producer: Charlie Pilzer