Here you will find the five Christmas Carols my grandfather used to sing with the men in Norman's Cove, Trinity Bay, Newfoundland many years ago. To get the notes as accurate as possible, I consulted my Uncle Cle Newhook on the words in certain verses, as well as my Mom, Florence Pinhorn who heard the carols sung in her kitchen many times by her father. I also made use of two separate recordings of my Grandfather, Ernest Newhook singing these carols, and information from my Great Uncle Hubert Newhook about the history of the carols.
Click the links below to download or view the 5 Norman's Cove Carols:
Carol 1 While Shepherds Watched
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Carol 2 The Cherry Tree Carol
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Carol 3 Blessed Virgin Mild
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Carol 4 Bethlehem City
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Carol 5 Awake Good People!
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Carol 1 While Shepherds Watched
click here to listen to the carol
Carol 2 The Cherry Tree Carol
click here to listen to the carol
Carol 3 Blessed Virgin Mild
click here to listen to the carol
Carol 4 Bethlehem City
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Carol 5 Awake Good People!
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Please note, the recordings of me singing these carols are in no way intended to be “authentic” performances, rather, tools to help you learn to sing them yourself. Below you may download sheet music and recordings of the carols. Please feel free to share them with anyone who might be interested in keeping this wonderful tradition alive.
If you would like to read about the history of these carols, click the button for an excellent paper written by my late Great Uncle, Hubert Newhook
Here is an interview with my Uncle Cle Newhook and my Grandfather Ernest Newhook about the Norman's Cove carols, and a precious recording of my Poppy singing "Blessed Virgin Mild". At the end of the interview Cle and Poppy sing "Awake Good People" together.