In Dulci Jubilo (Mike Oldfield)
Encyclopedia
"In Dulci Jubilo" / "On Horseback" is a single
by musician Mike Oldfield
, released in 1975 (see 1975 in music
). The prominently festive single features an instrumental version of a Christmas carol, "In Dulci Jubilo
", as well as the finale-song from Oldfield's Ommadawn
album, "On Horseback".
"Good Christian Men Rejoice
". The carol is traditionally sung to a German tune of the same name as Oldfield's tune. Mike Oldfield had recorded another version of this song as the B-side to his previous single, "Don Alfonso
", which did not chart, playing all instruments himself. Later, he felt a better version could be done, and re-recorded it in October 1975 at the Manor, but incorporating some of the previous version's backing tracks recorded November 1974 at the Beacon, his home studio.
The new version features Leslie Penning on two recorder
s and kortholt
, Mike Oldfield on acoustic and electric guitars, piano and ARP string synthesiser
, and William Murray on snare drum. Oldfield's decision to re-record the song proved to be a good move; it appeared in Christmas
season playlists on radio across Europe, charting at number 4 in the UK
, and is one of his most re-issued short songs. It also charted at number 7 in the Irish Singles Chart
and at number 2 on the Dutch Top 40
.
The song's authorship shown in the track listing below is how it appears on a recent compilation CD. Most editions from the 1970s and 1980s credit it to R. L. Pearsall
, arr. Oldfield. Bach
and Pearsall both wrote arrangements of it, but the song dates further back than either composer. Italian pressings of the single from 1975 credit it to J. S. Bach.
"On Horseback" features Mike Oldfield on vocals, accompanied by a children's chorus credited as the Penrhos kids. It previously appeared as an untitled song at the end of Oldfield's 1975 album Ommadawn
, banded separately but merely listed as part of "Ommadawn part two" on the label. The album's liner notes refer to it as "the horse song on side two". Virgin Records
recognised this song could also be a contender as a Christmas hit, and was already being played on radio before it was issued as a single; therefore the UK single's label bore a large "A" on each side to encourage radio play of both sides. A large "A" is often used to mark promo records, and copies are often mis-identified as promos, but all have this mark.
This record's success as a Christmas single encouraged Oldfield to issue a similar instrumental piece, usually with recorder as the lead instrument, as a single every year's Christmas season up to 1980.
. It is probably the only non-recent Mike Oldfield video that is still shown occasionally on television. The video splits the screen in up to 9 thumbnail frames, each showing Mike miming playing a different instrument. Mike's face is not shown in frames where he is seen playing an instrument he did not play on the record. The music video was directed by Bruce Gowers.
Virgin VS-131
The UK edition has "In Dulci Jubilo" marked as side "A". It was also issued in other European countries, excluding France.
Virgin VDJ-9
Side 2 is actually "On Horseback". Issued in a generic cover for promo records.
Virgin (dist. CBS) ZS8-9505
Also issued in Canada.
Virgin (dist. CBS) ZS8-9509
Re-issue with alternate B-side.
Virgin (dist. CPF Barclay) 640079 : 1st ed. 1975
Virgin (dist. Polydor) 2097 930 : 2nd ed. 1977
This single has been re-issued in 1977 with another picture sleeve. The B-side has been called "In Dulce Jubilo", and credited to "R.L. Pearsall, arrt Mike Oldfield". The A-side is an edited version of the end of Ommadawn part 1. This may not be the same excerpt from Ommadawn used on North American singles.
Released in 1993 on CD.
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
by musician Mike Oldfield
Mike Oldfield
Michael Gordon Oldfield is an English multi-instrumentalist musician and composer, working a style that blends progressive rock, folk, ethnic or world music, classical music, electronic music, New Age, and more recently, dance. His music is often elaborate and complex in nature...
, released in 1975 (see 1975 in music
1975 in music
-January–April:*January 2 - New York City U.S. District Court Judge Richard Owen rules that former Beatle John Lennon and his lawyers can have access to Department of Immigration files pertaining to his deportation case....
). The prominently festive single features an instrumental version of a Christmas carol, "In Dulci Jubilo
In Dulci Jubilo
In dulci jubilo is a traditional Christmas carol. In its original setting, the carol is a macaronic text of German and Latin dating from the Middle Ages. Subsequent translations into English, such as J.M...
", as well as the finale-song from Oldfield's Ommadawn
Ommadawn
Ommadawn is the third record album by Mike Oldfield, released in 1975 on Virgin Records. The cover photograph was by David Bailey. It peaked at #4 on the UK Albums Chart. The album was reissued in June 2010 with additional content.- Album history :...
album, "On Horseback".
Details
Mike Oldfield's "In Dulci Jubilo" is an instrumental version of the traditional Christmas carolChristmas carol
A Christmas carol is a carol whose lyrics are on the theme of Christmas or the winter season in general and which are traditionally sung in the period before Christmas.-History:...
"Good Christian Men Rejoice
In Dulci Jubilo
In dulci jubilo is a traditional Christmas carol. In its original setting, the carol is a macaronic text of German and Latin dating from the Middle Ages. Subsequent translations into English, such as J.M...
". The carol is traditionally sung to a German tune of the same name as Oldfield's tune. Mike Oldfield had recorded another version of this song as the B-side to his previous single, "Don Alfonso
Don Alfonso (song)
"Don Alfonso" is the second UK single by musician Mike Oldfield, released in 1975 . Side 1 has an additional credit: "featuring David Bedford on vocals". This is a comic novelty song from the early 20th century, sung by a boasting, bogus toreador, who seems to know very little about...
", which did not chart, playing all instruments himself. Later, he felt a better version could be done, and re-recorded it in October 1975 at the Manor, but incorporating some of the previous version's backing tracks recorded November 1974 at the Beacon, his home studio.
The new version features Leslie Penning on two recorder
Recorder
The recorder is a woodwind musical instrument of the family known as fipple flutes or internal duct flutes—whistle-like instruments which include the tin whistle. The recorder is end-blown and the mouth of the instrument is constricted by a wooden plug, known as a block or fipple...
s and kortholt
Kortholt
The kortholt is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. It was popular in the Renaissance period.The name comes from Low Saxon and means short piece of wood . This name is mentioned in the work Syntagma musicum by Michael Praetorius, who is a main source for information about this instrument...
, Mike Oldfield on acoustic and electric guitars, piano and ARP string synthesiser
ARP String Synthesizer
The ARP String Synthesizer, also known as the ARP Solina String Synthesizer or sometimes the Solina String Synthesizer, is an ARP Instruments, Inc. synthesizer. It is a hybrid model which combined both the ARP String Ensemble and the ARP Explorer monophonic synthesizer. It was built in Bodegraven,...
, and William Murray on snare drum. Oldfield's decision to re-record the song proved to be a good move; it appeared in Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
season playlists on radio across Europe, charting at number 4 in the UK
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
, and is one of his most re-issued short songs. It also charted at number 7 in the Irish Singles Chart
Irish Singles Chart
The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured...
and at number 2 on the Dutch Top 40
Dutch Top 40
The Dutch Top 40 is a weekly music chart, which started as the "Veronica Top 40", because the offshore radio station Radio Veronica was the first to introduce it. It remained "The Veronica Top 40" until 1974, when the station was forced to stop broadcasting...
.
The song's authorship shown in the track listing below is how it appears on a recent compilation CD. Most editions from the 1970s and 1980s credit it to R. L. Pearsall
Robert Lucas de Pearsall
Robert Lucas Pearsall was an English composer.-Biography:Pearsall was born at Clifton in Bristol on 14 March 1795 into a rich, Quaker family. His father, Richard Pearsall , was an army officer and amateur musician...
, arr. Oldfield. Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer, organist, harpsichordist, violist, and violinist whose sacred and secular works for choir, orchestra, and solo instruments drew together the strands of the Baroque period and brought it to its ultimate maturity...
and Pearsall both wrote arrangements of it, but the song dates further back than either composer. Italian pressings of the single from 1975 credit it to J. S. Bach.
"On Horseback" features Mike Oldfield on vocals, accompanied by a children's chorus credited as the Penrhos kids. It previously appeared as an untitled song at the end of Oldfield's 1975 album Ommadawn
Ommadawn
Ommadawn is the third record album by Mike Oldfield, released in 1975 on Virgin Records. The cover photograph was by David Bailey. It peaked at #4 on the UK Albums Chart. The album was reissued in June 2010 with additional content.- Album history :...
, banded separately but merely listed as part of "Ommadawn part two" on the label. The album's liner notes refer to it as "the horse song on side two". Virgin Records
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
recognised this song could also be a contender as a Christmas hit, and was already being played on radio before it was issued as a single; therefore the UK single's label bore a large "A" on each side to encourage radio play of both sides. A large "A" is often used to mark promo records, and copies are often mis-identified as promos, but all have this mark.
This record's success as a Christmas single encouraged Oldfield to issue a similar instrumental piece, usually with recorder as the lead instrument, as a single every year's Christmas season up to 1980.
Music video
A music video was made for this song, and can be found on the DVD, Elements - The Best of Mike OldfieldElements - The Best of Mike Oldfield (video)
Elements - The Best of Mike Oldfield is a video collection by Mike Oldfield released in October 1993. It was released by Virgin Records on VHS and Laser disc...
. It is probably the only non-recent Mike Oldfield video that is still shown occasionally on television. The video splits the screen in up to 9 thumbnail frames, each showing Mike miming playing a different instrument. Mike's face is not shown in frames where he is seen playing an instrument he did not play on the record. The music video was directed by Bruce Gowers.
Charts
| Chart (1975) | Position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
4 |
| Irish Singles Chart Irish Singles Chart The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured... |
7 |
| Dutch Top 40 Dutch Top 40 The Dutch Top 40 is a weekly music chart, which started as the "Veronica Top 40", because the offshore radio station Radio Veronica was the first to introduce it. It remained "The Veronica Top 40" until 1974, when the station was forced to stop broadcasting... |
2 |
UK 7-inch single
- "In Dulci Jubilo" (J. S. Bach / M. Oldfield) – 2:49
- "On Horseback" (music: M. Oldfield; lyrics: M. Oldfield / W. Murray) – 3:25
Virgin VS-131
The UK edition has "In Dulci Jubilo" marked as side "A". It was also issued in other European countries, excluding France.
UK 12-inch promo single
- "An Excerpt From Ommadawn - Part I" (M. Oldfield) – 7:18
- "An Excerpt From Ommadawn - Part II" (M. Oldfield) – 3:25
Virgin VDJ-9
Side 2 is actually "On Horseback". Issued in a generic cover for promo records.
USA 7-inch single
- "Theme From Ommadawn" (Oldfield)
- "On Horseback" (music: M. Oldfield; lyrics: M. Oldfield / W. Murray) – 3:25
Virgin (dist. CBS) ZS8-9505
Also issued in Canada.
Canada 7-inch single
- "Theme From Ommadawn" (Oldfield)
- "In Dulci Jubilo" (J. S. Bach / M. Oldfield) – 2:49
Virgin (dist. CBS) ZS8-9509
Re-issue with alternate B-side.
France 7-inch single
- "Ommadawn" (Oldfield) – 3:28
- "In Dulci Jubilo" (J. S. Bach / M. Oldfield) – 2:49
Virgin (dist. CPF Barclay) 640079 : 1st ed. 1975
Virgin (dist. Polydor) 2097 930 : 2nd ed. 1977
This single has been re-issued in 1977 with another picture sleeve. The B-side has been called "In Dulce Jubilo", and credited to "R.L. Pearsall, arrt Mike Oldfield". The A-side is an edited version of the end of Ommadawn part 1. This may not be the same excerpt from Ommadawn used on North American singles.
In Dulci Jublio EP
- "In Dulci Jubilo" (J. S. Bach / M. Oldfield) – 2:49
- "Wonderful LandWonderful Land"Wonderful Land" is an instrumental piece which was released as a single by The Shadows in 1962. It stayed at #1 in the UK for more weeks than any other single during the whole of the 1960s....
" (Jerry Lordan) – 2:48 - "PortsmouthPortsmouth (Mike Oldfield single)"Portsmouth" is a single released by musician Mike Oldfield in 1976 . It is Oldfield's highest charting single in the United Kingdom, charting at number 3.- Details :...
" - (traditional, arr. Oldfield) 2:01 - "Vivaldi Concerto In C" – 3:52
Released in 1993 on CD.