The Wexford Carol

Irish carol in 6/8 time -- Key of G major (1 sharp)

Instrumental first time through ; choir sings verses 1 through 4 with band accompanying ; end with one more time as instrumental.

(Time through) Daniel Barbara-Lee Denise Val Dale Tony
1 Bass solo, upper harmonic "G" drone for 2 measures (tacit) "D" drone starting B part Starts with melody after 2 measures (tacit) Psaltery melody starting B part
2 Bass open "G" string drone Various percussion "D" drone Melody (tacit) Psaltery melody
3 Bass stopped "G" on D string drone Various percussion "D" drone Melody Sparse chords Psaltery melody
4 Bass stopped "G" on D string drone, F to G chord root change Various percussion "D" drone Melody Chords Psaltery melody
5 Bass stopped "G" on D string drone, F to G chord root change Various percussion "D" drone Melody Chords Psaltery melody
6 Bass stopped "G" on D string drone (tacit) (tacit) (tacit) Chords Psaltery melody

Background: this is a traditional Irish Christmas carol originating from the second largest town in county Wexford, named Enniscorthy. Based on compositional style some musicologists date its origins to the 15th or 16th century, but it surged in popularity due to the work of William Grattan Flood (1859 to 1928) who was the organist and musical director at the St. Aidan Cathedral in Enniscorthy.