Friday 10 December 2010
Tune of the Day: Carol of the Birds
Traditional Catalan Christmas carol
There are several carols having the title “Carol of the Birds”, including a well-known Australian one by John Wheeler. The tune we present today is also known as “El cant dels ocells”, and is of Catalan origin. It could date back to as early as 1600. Its original version contained 14 verses that colorfully detail 32 different birds visiting the Christ child in his manger in Bethlehem.
Famous cellist Pablo Casals played an arrangement of this carol at countless concerts, helping make its tune popular throughout Europe and the Americas.
The carol was also sung by Joan Baez on her 1966 Christmas album Noël.