Coventry Carol
Composer
Difficulty
Moderately Easy
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Season
Voicing(s)
Instruments
Category
Collections
Instrumental Only?
No
Description
SAB a cappella. A hauntingly beautiful and stark harmonization of the medieval carol commemorating the Massacre of the Innocents. Optional bass drum (or timpani) adds a menacing martial cadence that underscores the horror of the whole episode. This is a piece your congregation won't soon forget.
Audio
Lyrics
Lully, lullay, Thou little tiny Child,
Bye, bye, lully, lullay.
O sisters to,O, how may we do,
For to preserve this day
This poor youngling for whom we do sing
Bye, bye, lully, lullay.
Herod, the king, in his raging,
Charged he hath this day
His men of might, in his own sight,
All young children to slay.
That woe is me, poor Child for Thee!
And ever mourn and say,
For thy parting neither say nor sing,
Bye, bye, lully, lullay.