Coventry Carol - Westminster Cathedral Choir
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- Опубліковано 30 січ 2025
- The traditional Christmas carol "Coventry Carol" sung by the choir of
Westminster Cathedral.
The "Coventry Carol" is a Christmas carol dating from the 16th Century. The carol was performed in Coventry as part of a mystery play called The Pageant of the Shearmen and Tailors. The play depicts the Christmas story from chapter two in the Gospel of Matthew. The carol refers to the Massacre of the Innocents, in which Herod orders all male infants under the age of two in Bethlehem to be killed. The lyrics of this haunting carol represent a mother's lament for her doomed child. It is the only carol that has survived from this play.
Wikipedia.
I arrived in Taejon South Korea on Christmas eve in 1958, and the orderly room clerk was playing Christmas carols over the company P.A. system. This song came wafting through the basecamp, Signal Company C, and I remember leaning against the barracks in the dark, listening to this song and pondering the love of the Great God of the Universe. I still remember that night as if it were yesterday. This is why I love this song. I will forever love this song this Christmas Carol...
That sounds amazing.
Lovely wonderful comment !!!
Nice!
Yes, so lovely and this version is perfect. It's a song about the untimely deaths of all children (common in Tudor days), but referring to the slaughter of innocents by King Herod. Merry Christmas 2021 to you.
I was in downtown Stuttgart in 85. First duty station. I was wandering downtown one early evening and passed one of those old churches. They had a Christmas show going on and the choir was singing this. It's hauntingly beautiful.
Coventry Carol is not depressing. It is one of the great pieces of music which conveys feelings that can not be described in words. It is profound and haunting and many more things.
Then feel free not to listen to it! Perhaps it's like Marmite - some love it, some don't. I do ... always have, always will.
@carolinerobertson8098 No one said anything about not wanting to listen to it. 🙄
The Coventry Carol conveys the sorrow of those mothers whose baby boys were executed by King Herod’s soldiers in an attempt to kill the infant King. So the melancholy reflective nature of this Carol is very significant in the suffering . . Rachel was heard weeping for her children , and refusing to be comforted because they are no more . Thus saith the Lord : Let thy voice cease from weeping, and thy eyes from tears: for there is a reward in thy work, saith the Lord : and they shall return out of the land of the enemy. And there is hope for thy last end, saith the Lord: and the children shall return to their own borders.
Jeremiah 31 v 15
classic
There's been so many wonderful interpretations of the 'Coventry Carol' but for me it doesn't sound right unless sang by a choir inside a drafty old gothic church, preferably with the lights dimmed. Such a haunting piece of music. Happy Christmas everyone!
and to you, too! :)
I agree. I heard this sung at York Minster years ago on a very cold and snowy December day. As I listened it was as if we were connected directly back in history to medieval times... a 'time machine' ... and to experience what this must have felt like to many generations back.
The acoustics in a cathedral always make it sound better. Such a beautiful carol.
I've always been moved by the change from minor key to a major chord at the end of each verse. Simple, but emotionally powerful. Hope triumphing over grief.
This is my favorite Christmas song of all time. Sure, it is depressing (which I have been told countless times), but it so beautiful that it transcends said feeling and envelops me in this gorgeous, soothing eeriness that brings tears to my eyes. Some of the best music in the world is sad because it inspires an emotion within yourself and touches you. I love it. :)
Yes, exactly.
I don't find it depressing! I find it spiritual - it's in a minor key, which many tunes from the Middle Ages were and perhaps today, some people are a bit unfamiliar with that.
I feel absolutely the same, but I can't stop listening to it, it's too much beauty in an "anthem". It could be sad, but is comforting at the same time.
There's no reason that sad music cannot be beautiful.
It is not depressing…….cripes! Minor is richer than major. This is deeply profound.
For me, it is one of the most beautiful carols in that it is bittersweet. As Mary rejoices in Christ's birth, and his near miss at the slaughter of the innocence, she mourns the curse of his inevitable fate. In my opinion, it is a carol for all of the young babies born who must inevitably lose their innocence in this world. A heart-rending version by the Westminster Cathedral Choir
@@QuentinCashWilde , loosing one’s innocence is not inevitable. The Gospel we have to proclaim , which brings Salvation and joy.
@@Randolph1233i think they meant the slaughtering of the innocent infants.
A mother's worst nightmare come true is what this lullaby cries out. So poignant and full of grief.
Perhaps the most beautiful of all Christmas carols 🎼 ❤ It should be included in all church hymnals. 🙏🏾🎄🌟🕯❤
This Coventry carol speaks volumes to my ears. It reminds me of my late mother. It's so sweet. Listening again today 23rd/12/2022
The most beautiful Christmas carol ever.
And my consumate favorite. A little melancholy to remember the humanity of Christ and how sacred this day is.
I agree, some people find it a tad maudlin but I think it reflects more the very human side to this story. The joy of Christ's birth, but also the subsequent terrible tragedy associated with it's aftermath which is largely overlooked.
Trebuchet1066 You know, the longer I live, the more I realize that the places I find the most joy, is in the simple things. Hindsight being 20/20 and all, I think it's a TREMENDOUS blessing to have grown up in our generation. May this be a very special Christmas to you and yours.
wundermonkee1 Many thanks, and to you and yours also, compliments of the Season.
+Margo Wilkins I couldn't agree more.
I'm a Coventry kid born and bred unlike almost everyone I see nowadays. This beautiful carol is just one of the things that makes me proud of my City's history.
Very haunting and beautiful, I love this Carol !
This is my favorite Christmas Carol and this is the best rendition of this carol that I've heard to date.. It is powerfully sorrowful and haunting.
I've been hunting down this version for 15 years! If you get this song, you are a music aficionado I love music of all kinds, but this one stops me wherever I'm at and pulls me in!
Glorious! English carols are amazing.
Knowing the background of it, this song brings a tear to my eye. So sad and beautiful all at once.
Lully, 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 do sing
Bye, bye, 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 sigh,
For thy parting neither say nor sing,
Bye, bye, lully, lullay.
+Paul Gruendler Thanks for the lyrics
:-)
For all the children who died at the hand of Herod and who died today at the hand of abortionist . All you children pray for us.
Thank you very much for putting these lyrics on here. I never knew them before. Merry Christmas + God bless!
@@paxetbonum4934 Jesus the only mediator between us and God, please intercede for children aborted, families on the streets homeless and hungry in America, Brittain, Japan and so many third world countries. Let their be compassion for the homeless and the refugees as you were when the Holy Family fled to Egypt to escape Herod and all those who are at the mercy of soldiers as You were in Your Passion. Father God, in Jesus Name I pray for the suffering, that Your Holy Ghost will Comfort them until You come. Amen.
Memory Eternal to the 14,000 Holy Innocents, all infants. Look at the children singing - and weep although know that it had to come to pass. It's a fallen world (and we're right back there)
Haunting, beautiful, mysterious! what an example of flawless compostion! and the performance is fantastique!
Some comments seem to indicate that all Christmas hymns and carols should be purely joyful and uplifting. But this carol (or whatever you wish to call it) is a harsh slap of reality. What kind of world was Jesus born into? A world run by Caesar and his client kings through military force and bureaucracy. Not much different than what I hear happens to children fleeing Aleppo. The story of Jesus is marked by tragedy from the very beginning! American Christians persistently forget that. Ours is not a gospel of success but of joy interwoven with service and, all too often, suffering.
Thank you for posting this beautiful music and this persistent reminder about the reality of this world.
nerdguy yes. And our leaders are content to do nothing.
Not only our leaders, but also all too often us as well.
Religious traditional carols are often overlooked in favor of Jingle Bells and Deck the Halls n shit.
Thank you so much for your insight into this song and it's relevance to today. I've always loved it and only recently realized how dark and tragic it is. Thank you!
Thank you, nerdguy! Grazie
This carol is hauntingly charming. I fully agree with you when you say that perhaps the most profound and beautiful music ever written tends to be melanchonic. It is as if a spirit in anguish exudes all the fruits of eternal beauty.
Stunning! This had me in tears. Absolutely gorgeous!
They are one of the worlds great choirs. I am going to see them on Wednesday when they will sing Allegri's Miserere Mei Deus. I am excited !!
This is my most favourite carol ever! LOVED singing this song when I was in school choir. Hardly ever gets included in carol services these days.
Reminds me of Christmas long ago.
The Picardy thirds that conclude each verse get me every time.
An Unpretentious, Majestic And Profoundly Beautiful Rendition!!! Who Can Fathom The Poignancy , Grief And Searing Pain? V.W.
Deeply moving. Beautiful yet heartbreaking.
First heard this three or four years ago. I can't imagine how we missed it. I used to sing in a church choir and this reminds me of that time when church music was dignified, even haunting. Fantastic.
Love this and the location couldn't have been better. Tudor history and historical fiction is most interesting. Merry Christmas 2021 everyone!
Hauntingly beautiful!
Agreed
A Carol Composed in a minor Key. So haunting and beautiful
with the Picardy third at the end!
Many carols were composed in a minor key. "God Rest, Ye Merry Gentleman", "We Three Kings", "O Come, O Come Emmanuel", "What Child Is This?", "Carol of the Bells".
ive known this song ever since my school had it in music classes 5 years ago... now im digging it up again. lovely.
My favourite carol
How beautiful, really lovely for Christmas !
My favourite carol. Heartwrechingly sad.
Phebe Lloyd Few of the others are anything like as ravishing and ethereal.
Thank you for sharing this - it is my absolute favorite christmas carol and this choir does a most glorious job with it. It doesn;t get better than this I think.
lyrics:
Lullay, thou little tiny child
Sleep well, lully, lullay
And smile in dreaming, little one
Sleep well, lully, lullay
Oh sisters two, what may we do
To preserve on this day
This poor youngling for whom we sing
Sleep well, lully, lullay
Farewell, lully, lullay
Herod the king in his raging
Set forth upon this day
By his decree, no life spare thee
All children young to slay
All children young to slay
Then woe is me, poor child, for thee
And ever mourn and say
For thy parting, neither say nor sing
Farewell, lully, lullay
Farewell, lully, lullay
And when the stars fill darkened skies
In their far venture, stay
And smile as dreaming, little one
Farewell, lully, lullay
Dream now, lully, lullay
Perhaps the most perfect of carols, done amazingly well. Its almost here, friends.
Happiest of Christmases, drwestbury. God bless.
I love this carol which is usually heard at Christmas time.Very poignant indeed.
Ahhh this Carol makes me so sad and soo very at peace with our lovely sweet Jesus . I do cry but with a smile and my heart goes out to this meaning of the haunting lyrics xx
So beautiful. Thanks for the historical info. I always love to learn the background.
This is a splendid version.
Music - when done in this way - is magic
Hej, hi. I listen to this several times a day, not only at Christmas time, but all year round... . This carol/hymn is ❤so beautiful, and I think about Jesus, the Real King... . Every time I hear this, makes me 😢 cry... ! I sing tenor in 2 choirs here in Winnipeg, the Scandinavian and Icelandic Choirs. If you would like to hear another av my favourite ones try 'Heyr, Himna Smiður' All Stay Well😊, Takk Fyrir!!
My favourite Christmas Carol.❤️
I'm doing this with my school ensemble. This is such a lovely song.
This is the most haunting and beautiful carol!
Even thinking of this song makes me sob. It's so incredibly sad--as a mother of a boy the age that would have been slaughtered with the decree made by Herod, I cannot sing this song.
Do you realise there is only 1 reference to this in ghe Bible, in Matthew? And no evidence that it actually happened.
i love this song and really best version. best wishes from Turkey
Beautiful!!!!! One of my favourite carols. Thank you for sharing this!! And I agree,
theyvegonetoplaid, you have an amazing way with words!
Coventry carol, Wexford carol and Gaudate truly beautiful
Heartbreakingly beautiful...my eyes tear up....
Thanks carols always beautiful
🕊🌟🕊
This is
ABSOLUTELY BREATHTAKING
🙏💜🙏
💜🎵💜
incredibly beautiful....words can't do justice
One of the most beautiful traditional Christmas carols of all time.
Such a great choir. You must be very proud to have been part of it.
drwestbury is this beautiful audio recording royalty free? Thank you for your time.
the best version ive ever heard
WOW... thank you for uploading. My old choir. Former chorister 1980-84
I first heard this mysterious carol and that prompted me to visit Coventry Cathedral. Bellissimo!
you made the right choice my friend
@@OccyDaBoss Merry Christmas and the cognitive sparks my choices, usually. In this case it is the divine. Happiest of New Years, as well.
Wonderful. The last of Christmas and I listened to this to finish it all off.
Very beautiful and sacred, love it !
From Christmas 1985 - nice to see it on you tube. Part of a special programme with a young man( aged 13) called Aled Jones :-)
I find this hauntingly beautiful
goooooooooosebumps....every time. simply gorgeous and haunting.
finnaly a choir that sings it normaly
slowly and with the full parts
beautiful carol :) well im going to like it im from coventry
Beautiful. It inspires a purity of reflection which is difficult to put into words, but unmistakable.
I just learned this: In Roman Catholic, Eastern Rite, and Orthodox churches, the Feast of the Holy Innocents commemorates the Massacre of the Innocents with the slain boys honored as Christian martyrs and saints. The feast is observed on December 28 in Western churches and on December 29 in Eastern churches. An old Christmas hymn, the Coventry Carol, was written as a lullaby for the children who died in the Massacre of the Innocents.
This original which I sang in childhood is so powerful!
I wish the audio quality was better, as it washes out when it gets too loud, but other than that this is a great rendition of one of the few Christmas songs I actually like. I typically hate Christmas music, but I've always loved this song and I love to hear new versions of it.
True, it isn't exactly Frosty the Snowman. But there is such a beautiful and reverent feeling about the song; the wonderful minor/majors, the dynamics, the power of a mother's love for her child. History is often an ugly thing, but out of this tragedy came one of the most precious things this world has beheld. It is a very somber and melancholy song, but there is so much beauty to be found in it as well.
Don't let the subject scare you off. Definitely sing it.
They are such a great choir: the boys and men of Westminster Cathedral....
Simply profound to listen to late in the evening of Christmas Day
it's Christmas morning 1971 first time I ever heard this
One of those few times when I can say nothing...thank you for posting this.
One of my favorite songs.
Simply beautiful, seems to be a very versatile song for choirs while retaining its structure as in Pentatonics version.
What is pentatonics version?
This song gave me the chills...I'm even happier to be a bass singer after hearing this song.
I love this song, I did it when I was in 7th grade. It was THE most fun I've ever had with a choral piece.
Heavenly! Peaceful, fantastic choir!
Voices of angels! Bravo.
People are not angels and never will be.
Oh no you're a very lucky man, really. This Choir is one my favourites, with New College and Christ Church, in England. You go for the Ash Wednesday, I imagine. Good concert.
It's my favourite carol. However it's not really a carol, but a part of the Coventry Easter play. I live in Dawlish in Devon now, but I grew up in Coventry and attended and was baptised in Holy Trinity, close to the original site where the plays where once performed.
However the Holy Innocents services are just after Christmas Herod may have sent the troops when the Three Magi did not return and they were in Bethlehem a short time after the Nativity. The song was part of a float in the Easter procession. but does not refer to Easter.
@@mavisemberson8737 That is very true. But it was a part of the Easter procession.
Only wonderful, thank you for this nice moment.
beautiful ethereal poignant devastating heart wrenching
Καθαρτήριο άγγιγμα ψυχής! Ευλπγημένος!
Christmas carols in minor keys are not as unusual as some of the comments in this forum might indicate. Among them are God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen; We Three Kings; Coventry Carol; What Child is This?; O Come, O Come, Emmanuel; Carol of the Bells; March of the Kings; Wassail Song; and So Blest a Sight.
A more recent one, Mary, Did You Know is as well.
So basically, all my favorites. Good to know
Favourite christmas carol, fantastic! thankyou and merry christmas..
Beautiful!
Thanks very much! I'm glad you went through with it. Merry Christmas to you
So much soul and love !
Nothing like a picardy third....ahhhhh. This is by far my favorite Christmas carol of all time.
Very beautiful, happy Christmas everyone !
Thanks so much. To be there must be a very spiritual experience.
found this carol because I heard about it in a Hozier interview... was not disappointed
This is such a tragic interpretation of a horrifying event which happened at the time of Jesus's birth. It's beautiful, but harrowing.
I love singing that in our choir ;)
Lovely carol
this is my third year in a choir in my school
i wish there we cood learn this music
My Favorite Christmas carol