Sweet Was the Song

SATB + celesta
3’30” (2007)

Winner of the 2007 VocalEssence Welcome, Christmas! Competition.


Anonymous 16th-century carol

Sweet was the song the Virgin sang,
When she to Bethl’em Judah came,
And was deliver’d of a Son,
That blessed Jesus hath to name.

Lalula, lalula, lullaby,
“Sweet Babe,” sang she,
And rocked Him sweetly on her knee.

“Sweet Babe,” sang she,
“My Son, and eke a Saviour born,
Who hast vouchsafed from on high
To visit us that were forlorn.”

Lalula, lalula, lullaby,
“Sweet Babe,” sang she,
And rocked Him sweetly on her knee.