It’s time for West Coast Editor’s annual, editing-themed Christmas carol. This year’s panegyric to editors is sung to the tune of “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing!” Lyrics by Cheryl Hannah.

Music transcription by Dee Hannah. The transcription is based on a W.H. Cummings arrangement of Felix Mendelssohn’s “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing!” from Carols for Choirs I: Fifty Christmas Carols, Oxford University Press, London, 1961. Photo by John Hannah.

1. Hark! The harried editors sing!
   “May the new year much happiness bring!”
   Billings sent and billings paid;
   Coffers filled and money made.
   Joyful wordsmiths, they proclaim,
   “Words are art forms; none the same!”
   At their ink-stained desks they work,
   In the manner of a Dickens clerk.
   Hark! The harried editors sing!
   “May the new year much happiness bring!”

 

2. Editors, the writers’ friend;
   All their work they soon do mend.
   Long the hours they do toil,
   Longing for the kettle to boil.
   Noble spirits, kindly hearts,
   Champions of the language arts.
   Pleased to do all that they can
   To elevate the heart of man.
   Hark! The harried editors sing!
   “May the new year much happiness bring!”

 

3. Hail! The editors, sleep deprived!
   Hail! The editors, brows all furrowed!
   Known for the order they do bring
   To just about ev’ry damn thing.
   All their wish lists do include
   A book, a tablet, and some food;
   Longing for the project’s end
   So that their socks they can mend.
   Hark! The harried editors sing!
   “May the new year much happiness bring!”

Top