The Coventry Carol

The Coventry Carol is an English Christmas carol dating from the 16th century that depicts the events recounted in the second chapter of Matthew, referring specifically to the Massacre of the Innocents, in which the Judean king, Herod, told by the Magi (Wise Men) of a newly born King of the Jews, orders all male infants under two years of age in Bethlehem to be killed. The narrative takes the form of a lullaby sung by mothers of the doomed children. In this reflective, meditative arrangement for horn and piano, a short, original introduction evokes the “weeping and loud lamentation” of the mothers, then transitions to the tune, which is presented in three verses.