Stephen Smith
Vancouver pianist, composer/arranger, choral conductor, teacher, and writer on music
Golden Vase Carol
SM-000626097
| Alternative title |
I wash my face in a golden vase |
| Composer | folklore |
|---|
Arranger
|
Stephen Smith |
|
Lyricist
|
folklore |
| Publisher | Stephen Smith |
|---|
| Genre |
Classical / Choral music |
| Instrumentation |
Organ, Mixed choir |
| Type of score | Full score |
|---|
| Key |
G major |
| Duration |
2'15" |
|---|
| Language | English |
|---|
| Difficulty |
Advanced |
|---|
| Year of composition |
2025 |
| Description: |
| This rarely-sung Appalachian version of "I Saw Three Ships" begins, "I wash my face in a golden vase, all on a Christmas morning." Once the narrator's face is washed and dried, and their hair combed, "two little ships" come sailing by, carrying "the blessed Virgin and her Son" -- at which God looks down from heaven and says, "'Tis well! Now all my folks is saved from hell!" As befits such a quaint, folksy carol, the arrangement is light-hearted and fun, but it has some pretty wild harmonies which add a bit of a challenge for the singers, and the accompaniment is a good work-out for any organist! (In consideration of this, a 3-page organ-only part is included.) |
Upload date: 01 Jan 2026
