21st Century Carol

So. It’s here.

It’s been a pretty chaotic few weeks, what with Christmas preparations, work exhaustion, my heating breaking down and various other general life issues, but I have actually done it.

I came up with a weird idea a while ago to release a Christmas Single. Obviously this is not a trite tra-la-la around the Christmas tree or lovey rom-com soundtrack.

I have always loved the Coventry Carol and it struck me I could do something with it. I took inspiration from various arrangements, about 8 different synths and a guitar and this happened; the lyrics taking on a new impact with the state of the world today.

I hope it provokes some thought.

Dedicated to all the innocent children, from every faith and nation who have died in conflict in this fuck-up of a world.

Lyrics

Lullay, thou little tiny child,
Bye bye, lully, lullay.
Lullay thou little tiny child,
Bye bye, lully, lullay.

O sisters too, how may we do
For to preserve this day
This poor youngling for whom we sing,
“Bye bye, lullay, lullay”?

Herod the king, in his raging,
Chargèd he hath this day
His men of might upon this night,
All young children to slay.

Two thousand years, and still the fear,
The innocents are slain.
God’s chosen ones, or Herod’s sons?
Their missiles down to rain.

The Holy Land, now blasted sand,
Who shall endure the shame,
When will we grow, reap what we sow?
All of mankind to blame.

That woe is me, poor child, for thee
And ever mourn and may
For thy parting neither say nor sing,
“Bye bye, lullay, lullay.”