Coventry Carol for Liturgical Year A

“Lully lullay, thou tiny child…”  What seems like a pretty lullaby is actually the grim story of Herod’s slaughter of the Innocents.  In this Liturgical Year A, that gospel story will be read on the Sunday between Christmas and New Year’s Day, a perfect time to sing this haunting arrangement of Coventry Carol.

Set in F minor (four flats), the voice ranges are all very mid-range and easy to sing.  (See ranges below).  Four verses tell the story, each with slight variations as the gruesome tale unfolds.  In keeping with the context, a few dissonant chords float in and out of the not-quite-traditional harmonization. The third verse expands dramatically upon the last line, “All children young to slay.” While best sung a cappella, an accompanist could easily play the notes along with the choir for support.

Coventry Carol is not just for church; it also makes a beautiful minor-key addition to a Christmas caroling program. Too gory?  Don’t worry!  Not many listeners can pick out the meaning from the convoluted lyric style of 16th century English.  Nonetheless, every three years we encounter the story in the gospel, and an astute parishioner just might put two and two together.  If you haven’t made room for it in your church choir’s agenda this year, keep it in mind for 2022!

Voice ranges:

Soprano:  E – Db

Alto:  Ab – Ab

Tenor:  Eb – Eb (above Mid-C)

Bass:  Bb – C (middle)