This gentle carol for upper voices pairs a text I wrote in 1990 with a lilting, Celtic-flavoured melody that I had originally composed when I was 14.

In verse 1 an opening solo is answered by all voices in unison. The first half of verse 2 is straightforward 3-part harmony, after which the first and third voices break free from the tune with joyful shouts of “Come!”. The final verse reprises the second half of the tune which is surrounded by roulades of accompanying alleluias; then the soloist returns prior to a contemplative coda that briefly explores remote keys before finally resolving, pianissimo, in the home key.

The piano part mostly employs uncomplicated broken chord figuration, with one or two more appassionato moments.

The carol is suitable for the entire Christmas season, and would be especially appropriate for a crib service. A lovely performance by the Girl Choristers of Southwell Minster (with "guest" boy soloist), directed by Paul Provost and with pianist Simon Hogan, can be heard by clicking the YouTube panel on the right.

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Children At The Manger


The shadows of eventide echo the twilight,
Upon David’s town gentle starlight is shed,
Through the byways of Bethlehem children are creeping
By dim lantern light to a soft manger bed.
For there lies a babe bearing grace from above,
They have come to adore Him with goodness and love,
And they watch by His cradle in faith and devotion,
And smile at the blessings that light on His head.

We pray with the shepherds, we sing with the angels,
We kneel at the crib like the children of old,
Each child of today is a gift for tomorrow,
The gift of a lamb for the heavenly fold.
So come and rejoice that a saviour is born,
A babe with the bloom of a midsummer dawn;
Let us offer our gifts to the Son of Salvation,
The healer of sorrows, so gladly foretold.

O come and rejoice at the news of His birth,
Our gifts let us share for the good of our Earth:
Our gifts of compassion and childlike devotion:
Not incense, nor myrrh, yet as precious as gold.

(Text © Simon Mold)