Saint Tibb’s Suite by Tim Baker
If you’re a Newfoundlander, you already know that Tibb’s Eve is a vibe.
It’s the fun, slightly-early kick-off to the holiday season—a time for friends, family, and maybe a bit too much cheer. But who knew it could also be profound? Enter Tim Baker (of Hey Rosetta! fame) with his new album, Full Rainbow of Light, and its absolute gem of a trilogy, ‘Saint Tibb’s Suite’.
Get more Newfoundland Christmas Music here, and check out the whole 2024 NL Music Advent Calendar.
The first part, ‘Saint Tibb’s Suite I: Tibb’s Eve’, is not your run-of-the-mill holiday jingle. It’s reflective and rich, daring to ask the big questions we might usually drown out with mulled wine. Baker takes the lofty promises of peace and joy we so often hear in Christmas songs and flips them on their head, acknowledging how rare—if not impossible—they often feel. But rather than leaving us in existential dread, he grounds it in the traditions of Tibb’s Eve itself. There may be joy in finding and celebrating a ‘day that never comes’.
“When all of our work will be done,” he sings, “when our friends and our enemies drink from the same cup.” It’s poignant, it’s hopeful, and it’s everything we didn’t know we needed in a holiday tune.
This song isn’t just about December 23—it’s about imagining a world where the impossible happens, where connections run deeper than grudges, and where we all get a moment to breathe and be.
Honestly, Saint Tibb’s Suite is the kind of music that stays with you. I’ve got it on repeat now, and something tells me it’ll be there long after the Christmas lights come down.
Give it a listen—you won’t regret it.
More Tibb’s Eve
For the full story on Tibb’s Eve check out ‘What The Heck Is Tibb’s Eve?’ at Product of Newfoundland.
But wait, there’s more for the Tibb’s Eve enthusiasts out there! If you can’t get enough of this Newfoundland tradition, check out the Strange Truths and Tall Tales podcast. They’re two episodes dedicated to Tibb’s Eve, digging into its history, folklore, and the ways it continues to bring people together. They’ve got stories, laughs, and even a healthy dose of Christmas slush.