<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?><oembed><version><![CDATA[1.0]]></version><provider_name><![CDATA[The Mitrailleuse]]></provider_name><provider_url><![CDATA[http://mitrailleuse.net]]></provider_url><author_name><![CDATA[J. Arthur Bloom]]></author_name><author_url><![CDATA[https://mitrailleuse.net/author/jarthurbloom/]]></author_url><title><![CDATA[Sacred Harp Christmas Edition: &#8216;Bonnie&nbsp;Doon&#8217;]]></title><type><![CDATA[link]]></type><html><![CDATA[<iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F180456157&visual=true&color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false"></iframe>
<blockquote><p>When, marshaled on the nightly plain,<br />
The glittering hosts bestud the sky,<br />
One star alone of all the train<br />
Can fix the sinner’s wandering eye.</p>
<p>Hark! hark! to God the chorus breaks,<br />
From every host, from every gem;<br />
But one alone the Savior speaks,<br />
It is the Star of Bethlehem.</p>
<p>Once on the raging seas I rode,<br />
The storm was loud, the night was dark,<br />
The ocean yawned, and rudely blowed<br />
The wind that tossed my foundering bark.</p>
<p>Deep horror then my vitals froze,<br />
Death-struck, I ceased the tide to stem;<br />
When suddenly a star arose,<br />
It was the Star of Bethlehem.</p>
<p>It was my guide, my light, my all;<br />
It bade my dark forebodings cease;<br />
And through the storm and danger’s thrall,<br />
It led me to the port of peace.</p>
<p>Now safely, moored, my perils o’er<br />
I’ll sing, first in night’s diadem,<br />
Forever and forevermore,<br />
The star! The Star of Bethlehem!</p></blockquote>
<p>Not technically in the Sacred Harp, but it&#8217;s a Christmas-themed shape note carol. This recording is from a Christmas <a href="http://www.amazon.com/An-American-Christmas-Shapenote-Appalachia/dp/B00009W0WZ">album</a> by the Tudor Choir. Go buy it, it&#8217;s great!</p>
<p>The tune is usually set to lyrics by Robert Burns:</p>
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<blockquote><p>Ye banks and braes o&#8217; bonnie Doon<br />
How ye can bloom so fresh and fair<br />
How can ye chant ye little birds<br />
And I sae weary fu&#8217; o&#8217; care</p>
<p>Ye&#8217;ll break my heart ye warbling birds<br />
That wantons thro&#8217; the flowering thorn<br />
Ye mind me o&#8217; departed joys<br />
Departed never to return</p>
<p>Oft hae I rov&#8217;d by bonnie Doon<br />
To see the rose and woodbine twine<br />
And ilka bird sang o&#8217; its love<br />
And fondly sae did I o&#8217; mine</p>
<p>Wi&#8217; lightsome heart I pu&#8217;d a rose<br />
Fu&#8217; sweet upon its thorny tree<br />
But my false lover stole my rose<br />
But ah! She left the thorn wi&#8217; me</p></blockquote>
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