White Winter Hymnal by Quintessential Vocal Ensemble
You know those songs that hit you right in the winter feels? ‘White Winter Hymnal’ by Quintessential Vocal Ensemble is that song. Originally by Fleet Foxes, this version cranks up the harmonies and layers in some mesmerizing, slightly hypnotic percussion. It’s basically the musical equivalent of watching snow fall while sipping hot cocoa. Cozy and magical.
Get more Newfoundland Christmas Music here, and check out the whole 2024 NL Music Advent Calendar.
Fun fact: the single’s artwork is a photo I took of a dogberry tree at the old town site in Gander. I was beyond flattered when they wanted to use it—it’s not every day your photography becomes album art!
But now there’s an unintended side effect. Thanks to the song’s poetic lines “With scarves of red tied ’round their throats / To keep their little heads from falling in the snow,” I can’t see dogberries without picturing them in tiny scarves. It’s equal parts adorable and ridiculous.
Anyway, you should absolutely give this song a listen. Let the harmonies wrap around you like a warm blanket, and if you do end up brainstorming dogberry fashion, send pics. It’s only fair.
A dogberry tree at the old town site in Gander, NL.
