John Rutter's Wild Wood Carol was inspired by the animals of the Wind in the Willows written by Kenneth Grahame in 1908.
Our Green Man Nut Dish is 27 years older than Grahame's book. During this season, we like to think that the Green Man is present for all the creatures in the wild wood, under lamp posts in Narnia and within our homes and hearts.
Wild Wood Carol (Words and music: John Rutter)
Sing O the wild wood, the green holly,
The silent river and barren tree;
The humble creatures that no man sees:
Sing O the wild wood.
A weary journey one winter’s night;
No hope of shelter, no rest in sight.
Who was the creature that bore Mary?
A simple donkey.
And when they came into Beth’lem Town
They found a stable to lay them down;
For their companions that Christmas night,
An ox and an ass.
And then an angel came down to earth
To bear the news of the Saviour’s birth;
The first to marvel were shepherds poor,
And sheep with their lambs.
Sing O the wild wood, the green holly,
The silent river and barren tree;
The humble creatures that no man sees:
Sing O the wild wood.