The Christmas Rose sets a text by Dollie Radford praising the lush greenery of Christmas: mistletoe, holly, and the Christmas tree itself. A rich, flowing piano accompaniment supports the choral harmonies.

 

The Christmas Rose for SATB chorus & piano was premiered by The Master Chorale of Tampa Bay as the winner of their 2014 Christmas Carol Composition Competition.

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Purchase this piece for performance through Graphite Marketplace. 

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text

 

DECEMBER

 

No gardener need go far to find
The Christmas rose,
The fairest of the flowers that mark
The sweet Year’s close:
Nor be in quest of places where
The hollies grow,
Nor seek for sacred trees that hold
The mistletoe.
All kindly tended gardens love
December days,
And spread their latest riches out
In winter’s praise.
But every gardener’s work this month
Must surely be
To choose a very beautiful
Big Christmas tree,
And see it through the open door
In triumph ride,
To reign a glorious reign within
At Christmas‐tide.

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—Dollie Radford (1858 - 1920)

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