Original post from October 2015

It’s a song or carol from the point of view of an underground coal miner on Christmas Eve. He’s looking forward wistfully to tomorrow, and attempting to block out the environment he’s currently in while he has a rest and his “bait”.

It comes in three different choral versions: SATB; SSAA or TTBB. Here’s a full recording of the SSAA version with photographs of Woodhorn Museum, a mining museum on the site of a former colliery in Northumberland:

Verses in a reflective mood are sandwiched between fanfares delighting firstly in the prospect of a rest and a bite to eat, and lastly in the prospect of day off in the light and cold and some Christmas treats:

Ring out the bells and bring out the bait!
Whistle a carol of bread and jam and water!
Sound the trumpet for Christmas Eve!
Don’t let the dust settle on it, and we’ll rest awhile.

I shut my eyes to this, eyes to this glare of darkness.
Turn deaf ears to this, ears to this hush of wooden creaks, rapping stones, clattering chains.
And dream instead of winking fairy lights,
And crisp, frosty footsteps.

I turn my back on this, back on this ache of stooping.
Loosen my grasp in the face of this dirge of hewing heat, rhythmic toil, grinding sweat.
And dream instead of whooping bairns,
And crisp, frosty air to breathe.

Ring out the bells, and gather yer tools!
Rap out a carol of dust and overheating!
Sound the trumpet for Christmas Eve!
Don’t look back, Alleluia! Alleluia! Into the light!

Update December 2018

During the lead-up to Christmas in 2018, this carol has been performed by two groups: Rock Festival Choir in Alnwick, Northumberland included the SSAA version in their Advent Concert; American choir Cantus from Minnesota included the TTBB version in their Christmas performances.

You can hear Christmas with Cantus (2018) on Minnesota Public Radio’s playback facility. Alleluia! Into The Light is the second item in the programme!

Christmas With Cantus (yourclassical.org)

Update November 2022

Very thrillingly, Cantus have continued to keep Alleluia! Into The Light in their repertoire and have now recorded it for their new album “Into The Light” with Signum Records, who say,

“Into the Light was recorded in the dark, uncertain days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, the process was imbued with optimism and hope for brighter days ahead.  

In its first holiday recording in more than a decade, chamber vocal ensemble Cantus offers a thoughtful selection of old and new favorites, each sung with the group’s trademark warmth and virtuosity.  

The album reflects Cantus’ commitment to diversity of repertoire. Its selections span five languages and feature works by a broad range of composers and arrangers…”

You can hear their new recording here: