For this piece I chose a short, thoughtful Christmas poem from the extensive collection of old English ballads collected by John Ker, 3rd Duke of Roxburghe, and married it to the melody of a French chanson, Vray dieu d'amours, confortez-moy, that in its various forms and versions was popular during the renaissance. The result was a carol for unaccompanied voices - largely SATB but with some divisi passages towards the end.

In the first of two verses the melody is sung by the tenors and first basses, the other voices weaving their tracery around it. Then the sopranos take up the tune in the second verse, which gradually increases in intensity to herald a burst of joy when the voices suddenly expand into seven parts as the music reaches a climax. A quiet coda, recalling the reflective alleluias of the carol's opening bars, brings about a pianissimo conclusion.

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See how the Lord of heav'n and earth Himself shew'd lowly in his birth. A sweet example for mankind, To learn to bear a humble mind, No costly robes, no rich attire, Did Jesus Christ our Lord desire. Let all that are to mirth inclined, Consider well, and bear in mind What our good God for us hath done, In sending his beloved Son, And evermore, amongst our mirth, Remember Christ our Saviour's birth. Let all our songs and praises be To God's eternal Majesty; And evermore, amongst our mirth, Remember Christ our Saviour's birth.