Coventry Carol (Johnson) 3-Part - Sheet Music

SKU: CR.984236

ISBN 9780758655929. 7 x 10.25 inches.

Join in the song of the Bethlehem mothers following Herod's terrible decree. This accessible arrangement of the Coventry Carol by Stephen R. Johnson for SAB and piano should be easy to learn, appropriate for both youth and adult choirs. It contains a dramatic verse for men alone and a sweeping descant at the end for the sopranos. The accompaniment has plaintively tuneful melodies and interludes tying the sections together. Use this for the weeks following Christmas, especially for the Festival of the Holy Innocents.

Lully lullay,
Thou little tiny child,
By by, lully lullay.

O sisters too,
How may we do
For to preserve this day
This poor youngling,
For whom we sing
By by, 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
By by, lully lullay!