Apollo5: The Owl by Toby Young

The Owl, by Toby Young is the single from Apollo5's new Christmas album, A Deep But Dazzling Darkness.

The album was released on 3rd December 2021 on the Voces8 Records Label.

Lyrics: Jennifer Thorp

In the sweet and the solid winter dark,
Out in the sweet and solid winter dark
The owl is hunting on a silver wing.
It skims above a world fallen asleep
And knows the many secrets of the wind.

Within we have our comfort and our rest,
We nod, engulfed in richness at the heart.
The owl overhead is sleepless still
It watches the waking of the earth.

Under this soaring heaven here is the glory written,
Fleet as a comet falling through the sky.
All through the silver stillness wing beats will rise in chorus.
Owl of the midnight forest, silent king.

Praise for the ring of gold that rounds the year.
Praise for the Christmas-tide and what it keeps,
Praise for the owl beneath the stars
Un-resting guardian of peace.
Under this soaring heaven here is the glory written,
Fleet as a comet falling through the sky.
All through the silver stillness wing beats will rise in chorus.
Owl of the midnight forest, silent king soaring high, soaring!

The album presents rarely-heard consort arrangements of pieces more typically heard sung by a full choir, alongside a carefully curated selection of the finest contemporary repertoire, with the group’s one-to-a-part trademark sound lending a sparkling, revelatory texture to celebrate the magical qualities of dark winter nights.

The spirit that Apollo5 seeks to capture with the music it has chosen for A Deep but Dazzling Darkness is embodied in the words of ‘The Owl’s lyricist, Jennifer Thorp: “In many traditional yuletide carols and poems a balance is posed between a dark, wild winter world and the intimate golden safety of human celebration. Pagan roots run deep here – particularly when it comes to the passing of the year – and festivals reflect that connection to darkness, with fires, feasts and revels that glow brightest through long nights.”

This music video was created by Anne Sadovska, Visual Design and Jérôme Tromson, Digital Creation.

The critically acclaimed British vocal ensemble Apollo5 is based in London at the Voces8 Centre and is part of the Voces8 Foundation - our aim is to inspire people through music with an innovative education outreach programme alongside a busy schedule of concert performances around the world.

Follow Apollo5 on social media:

Apollo5:
Penelope Appleyard
Clare Stewart
Josh Cooter
Oli Martin-Smith
Greg Link

Executive Producer Paul Smith
General Manager Robin Tyson
Director Clare Stewart
Recording Producer Adrian Peacock
Recording, Mixing & Mastering Engineer David Hinitt
Editing Adrian Peacock
Mastering Will Brown
Photography Any Staples

[nadinerogers]

What wonderful sound. It reminds me of Irish folk music. You all have perfect blending. So lovely!

[FG-iecu]

What charming, haunting lyrics, beautifully sung with the right mood for them. Moody, creative backdrop. Lovely. The lead soprano has such an elfin medieval look that makes me want to weave beads and leaves into her hair for this video. : -) (and give her an Enya dress...)

[pierredutilleux]

Astonishingly good. I have had to listen to this over and over since I first heard it.

[pootle]

Wow! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 I love that!!! Thank you!

[rachelkay]

Just beautiful, what a magical sound. I love the artwork too.

[kaniamia]

Out in the sweet and solid winter dark
The owl is hunting on a silver wing.
It skims above a world fallen asleep
And knows the many secrets of the wind.

Within we have our comfort and our rest,
We nod engulfed in richness at the heart.
The owl overhead is sleepless still
It watches the waking of the earth.

Under this soaring heaven here is the glory written,
Fleet as a comet falling through the sky.
All through the silver stillness wingbeats will rise in chorus.
Owl of the midnight forest, silent king soaring high.

Praise for the ring of gold that rounds the year.
Praise for the Christmastide and what it keeps.
Praise for the owl beneath the stars
Unresting guardian of peace.

Under this soaring heaven here is the glory written,
Fleet as a comet falling through the sky.
All through the silver stillness wingbeats will rise in chorus.
Owl of the midnight forest, silent king soaring high.

[kimmcmillan]

I hope someone will post a copy of the words. The song and artwork and the singing are wonderful but I cannot decipher most of the words. Thanks