We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

The Longest Winter

by Robinson & Rohe

/
  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $7 USD  or more

     

  • The perfect way to enjoy our wintery album. Handsome 5 x 7 trifold download card with liner notes and three papercut lightbox images by Andrew Benincasa in a wax-sealed vellum envelope. Makes a great stocking-stuffer!
    ships out within 2 days
    edition of 500 

      $12 USD or more 

     

1.
He came from the North and he brought the snow, snow, snow In the deepest of drifts that billowed against the door, door, door The longest winter I had ever known, known, known We kept each other warm in the snow, snow, snow He led me outside and said we should go, go, go To see how the ice flows piled against the shore, shore, shore Moving water hardened into stone, stone, stone O, how my blood, it rushed, crying go, go, go He tended the fire and set it aglow, glow, glow Maple and ash to cheer us against the storm, storm, storm And in the evening flames turned into smouldering coals We kept each other warm in the glow, glow, glow He whispered my name and lay me down slow, slow, slow In a blanket of down he pressed me against the floor, floor, floor Dying embers, in his eyes they shone, shone, shone Breathless the whole night through, we moved slow, slow, slow The days stretched their arms, the South winds did blow, blow, blow In through the open window, in through the open door And just like a bird that can't be kept inside a nest he buttons up his vest He's flown, he flies, he goes, goodbye He knows that I can ne'er know why But I will always hold him close He's there inside my mind The cold wind e'er it blows, blows, blows... He came from the North and he brought the snow, snow, snow.
2.
The winter season of the year When to this world a babe was born The ox and donkey, so they say Did keep his holy presence warm How many oxen and donkeys now If they were there when first he came How many oxen and donkeys you know At such a time would do the same? And on that night, it has been told These humble beasts, so rough and rude Throughout the night of holy birth Drank no water, ate no food How many oxen and donkeys now If they were there when first he came How many oxen and donkeys you know At such a time would do the same? As soon as to these humble beasts Appeared the babe, so mild and sweet With joy they knelt before his grace And gently kissed his tiny feet How many oxen and donkeys now Dressed in ermine, silk and such, How many oxen and donkeys you know At such a time would do as much? How many oxen and donkeys now If they were there when first he came How many oxen and donkeys you know At such a time would do the same?
3.
Lullay, Thou little tiny Child, By, by, lully, lullay. Lullay, Thou little tiny Child. By, by, lully, lullay. O sisters, too, how may we do, For to preserve this day; This poor Youngling for whom we sing, By, by, lully, lullay. Herod the King, in his raging, Charged he hath this day; His men of might, in his own sight, All children young, to slay. Then woe is me, poor Child, for Thee, And ever mourn and say; For Thy parting, nor say nor sing, By, by, lully, lullay.
4.
Lo, how a Rose e'er blooming from tender stem hath sprung! Of Jesse's lineage coming, as men of old have sung. It came, a floweret bright, amid the chill of winter, When half spent was the night. Isaiah 'twas foretold it, the Rose I have in mind; With Mary we behold it, the Virgin Mother kind. To show God's love aright, she bore to us a Savior, When half spent was the night.
5.
Mary had a baby, ay Lord Mary had a baby, ay my Lord Mary had a baby, ay Lord The people keep a comin' but the train done gone What did she name him? ay Lord What did she name him? ay my Lord What did she name him? ay Lord The people keep a comin' but the train done gone She named him Jesus, ay Lord She named him Jesus, ay my Lord She named him Jesus, ay Lord The people keep a comin' but the train done gone Where did she lay him? ay Lord Where did she lay him? ay my Lord Where did she lay him? ay Lord The people keep a comin' but the train done gone She laid him in a manger, ay Lord She laid him in a manger, ay my Lord She laid him in a manger, ay Lord The people keep a comin' but the train done gone Who kept him warm? ay Lord Who kept him warm? ay my Lord Who kept him warm? ay Lord The people keep a comin' but the train done gone The ox and the donkey, ay Lord The ox and the donkey, ay my Lord The ox and the donkey, ay Lord The people keep a comin' but the train done gone Mary had a baby, ay Lord Mary had a baby, ay my Lord Mary had a baby, ay Lord The people keep a comin' but the train done gone
6.
O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer Our spirits by thine advent here Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, And death's dark shadows put to flight. Rejoice ! Rejoice ! Emmanuel Shall come, shall come O come, Thou Wisdom from on high, And order all things, far and nigh; To us the path of knowledge show, And cause us in her ways to go. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come, shall come O come, Desire of nations, bind All people in one heart and mind; Bid envy, strife and quarrels cease; Fill the whole world with living peace. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come, shall come

about

The Christmas story is a cultural inheritance that belongs to whoever claims it. If it is the Church, then the Church will tell the story. If it is the Corporate Advertisers, the Corporate Advertisers will sell the story. But if it is the Artists, the Bards, the Rabblerousers, then it is they who will create the story anew.

Robinson & Rohe got its start singing the ancient Christmas carols we love. We sing these carols every year to wrest this influential story from the grasp of the despots and the department stores. We assert that Christmas is a celebration of love, a welcoming of the light. It is about the beauty of one child only as much as it is about the beauty of all beings. Christmas is a rejection of the greed that caused an innkeeper to turn a pregnant woman out into the night, the hatred that caused a jealous king to order mass infanticide. Christmas is an embrace of the green, wild world we share. It is an opportunity to sing together, to break bread together. The inheritance of stories and songs is ours to reshape and pass on, just as those before us did. This is the story we tell.

credits

released December 5, 2014

Recorded and performed by Robinson & Rohe, September 8-12, 2014 at White Star Sound, Louisa, VA
Produced by Robinson & Rohe
Mixed by Liam Robinson
Mastered by Nate Wood
Paper cut illustrations by Andrew Benincasa
© 2014 Laundry Line Records

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Robinson & Rohe Brooklyn, New York

Robinson & Rohe is the duo of American songwriters Liam Robinson (banjo, accordion, vocals) and Jean Rohe (guitar, vocals). Since the release of their debut record, Hunger, in 2017, they have taken their music all over the US, Switzerland, UK, and Ireland, lighting up venerable folk venues and festivals from Club Passim to The Green Note and opening for Tom Paxton and Anaïs Mitchell along the way. ... more

shows

contact / help

Contact Robinson & Rohe

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like Robinson & Rohe, you may also like: