On Christmas Night
Voice or Violins

On Christmas Night (Sussex Carol) for 2 voices or instruments, now with a simple harmony part (all open strings) for violin beginners!

This pretty, vibrant Christmas carol is old-fashioned with a traditional English feeling, yet is fairly unknown.  

My beginning singing class learned it very easily and liked it at once, and the violin duet (new) is tailor-made for a beginner who struggles to count.

I love the energy and joy in this song. 

The Christmas carol lyrics are to the point: "Then why should men on earth be so sad, since our Redeemer made us glad? When from our sin he set us free, all for to gain our liberty!"

Now for the new violin duet, with a SUPER-EASY part 2:

Please scroll down the page for the links to the free printable music sheets.

Here is perhaps the most elegant choir rendition of "On Christmas Night" that you will hear on Youtube; David Willcocks' arrangement of the Sussex Carol, sung by the Choir of King's College. Most lovely: 

Yes, part 2 is all OPEN STRINGS.  I said this was for a beginner!  

Believe me, just counting and changing bow direction every 3 beats is going to be a challenge for a new violinist, especially when part 1 is moving the bow continually!  

It isn't easy to hold steady when your partner is moving fast.

 And yes, I have 2 students even now working on this duet for the upcoming Christmas recital...

Now for the vocal arrangement:

Though I have set this vocal arrangement mostly in 2 parts, the "alto" or Part II splits off, briefly making 3 voices in the first two lines.

If you don't have three singers or instrumentalists, then choose one of the alto parts and don't worry about the missing voice. 

The following recording of Sussex Carol is by Brian Dunning, Jeff Johnson, and John Fitzpatrick from A Windham Hill Christmas: 

Enjoy the fresh simplicity of this little carol...

Merry Christmas! 

The link for the violin duet:

Download easy Christmas duet for violin beginners

The link for the vocal duet:

Download free Christmas sheet music On Christmas Night

With autistic students, I have also observed the curved under pinkie finger and reluctance to use it at all. Fingering and hand position seems to be my biggest challenge (along with counting) though he mimics rhythms well.

He gets aggravated with me in my trying to review as he seldom forgets anything. This year he is doing much better at taking correction from me.

He is a fascinating young man (of 9) and I thoroughly enjoy the challenge of teaching him and his precious presence on my piano bench.

I look forward to your continued insight.

Louise:

I just wanted to say thank you so very much for your free printable sheet music. I am a piano teacher from the UK who has recently moved to a very remote location in Australia!

I found little to no decent music for my children to learn anywhere close by anyway and this website has been more than helpful as I've scoured around looking for resources. Just wanted to share my thanks! Blessings to you.