"In Dulci Jubilo"/"On Horseback" is a

double A-side The A-side and B-side are the two sides of phonograph records and cassettes; these terms have often been printed on the labels of two-sided music recordings. The A-side usually features a recording that its artist, producer, or record company ...

single and third overall by English musician Mike Oldfield, released in November 1975 by Virgin Records. It features an instrumental version of the German traditional Christmas carol " In dulci jubilo" and Oldfield's second version of the song following an earlier recording released as the B-side to his previous single, "

Don Alfonso "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 20th century, sung by a boasting, bogus toreador, ...

". The song "On Horseback" is the final and previously untitled section to "Ommadawn (Part Two)" from his third studio album '' Ommadawn'', released just one month before. The single is certified Silver by the British Phonograph Institute for selling 200,000 copies in the UK.

Songs

"In Dulci Jubilo"

This is an instrumental version of the German traditional Christmas carol of the same name, known best in Britain as "Good Christian Men Rejoice". Oldfield had recorded an earlier version with

Les Penning Les Penning is a British folk musician and composer, best known for his work with Mike Oldfield on the album ''Ommadawn'' and several of Oldfield's singles. He is credited with introducing Oldfield to medieval music through their time playing to ...

as the B-side to his previous single, "

", which did not chart. Oldfield felt a better version could be done, so he re-recorded it in October 1975 at The Manor Studio while keeping some of the backing tracks from the first version that were put down at his home studio in The Beacon, in November 1974. This version features Penning on two recorders and kortholt, William Murray on snare drum, and Oldfield on acoustic and electric guitars, piano, and ARP string synthesiser.''

Boxed Boxed may refer to: * Boxed.com, a wholesale on-line shopping site. * ''Boxed'' (Eurythmics), an eight album box set * ''Boxed'' (Mike Oldfield album) * Boxed warning In the United States, a boxed warning (sometimes "black box warning", colloq ...

'' album liner notes, 1976, Virgin Records Most pressings from the 1970s and 1980s credit the song to R. L. Pearsall, with arrangements by Oldfield. Although Bach and Pearsall both wrote arrangements, the tune dates further back than either composer. Italian pressings of the single from 1975 credit it to J. S. Bach. The song received radio airplay across Europe during the Christmas season. It reached number 3 in the Netherlands, number 4 in the UK, and number 7 in Ireland.

"On Horseback"

"On Horseback" features Oldfield on vocals accompanied by a children's chorus, credited as the Penrhos Kids. It previously appeared as the untitled song at the end of "Ommadawn (Part Two)" from Oldfield's third studio album '' Ommadawn'', released just one month before. The album's liner notes refer to it as "the horse song on side two". Virgin Records recognised the song as a potential Christmas hit, and it was played on radio before it was issued as a single which prompted the label to release the single as a double A-side. On 27 July 2012 at the

2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony The opening ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics took place on the evening of Friday 27 July 2012 in the Olympic Stadium, London, during which the Games were formally opened by Queen Elizabeth II. As mandated by the Olympic Charter, the pr ...

Oldfield performed renditions of '' Tubular Bells'', "

Far Above the Clouds "Far Above the Clouds" is a single by musician Mike Oldfield, released on 12 April 1999. The single is the final track from the album ''Tubular Bells III''. "Far Above the Clouds" similarly features tubular bells in fashion with the part-one-fi ...

" and "In Dulci Jubilo" during a segment about the NHS. This rendition appears on the soundtrack album '' Isles of Wonder''. The piece was also used as the theme tune to the BBC cookery show ''Fanny Cradock Cooks for Christmas''.

Music video

A music video was made for this song, and is featured on the DVD '' Elements – The Best of Mike Oldfield''. The video splits the screen up to 9 thumbnail frames, each showing Oldfield or Les Penning playing a different instrument. The music video was directed by Bruce Gowers.

Charts

Certifications

Track listing

UK seven-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 twelve-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 "On Horseback". Issued in a generic cover for promo records.

USA seven-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 seven-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 seven-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.

EP

# "In Dulci Jubilo" (J. S. Bach / M. Oldfield) – 2:49 # " Wonderful Land" (Jerry Lordan) – 2:48 # " Portsmouth" - (traditional, arr. Oldfield) 2:01 # "Vivaldi Concerto In C" – 3:52 Released in 1993 on CD.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:In Dulci Jubilo On Horseback 1975 singles 1993 singles British Christmas songs Mike Oldfield songs Music videos directed by Bruce Gowers Virgin Records singles