Adapted from "Coventry Carol", a haunting, melodic piece from the 1500s.

1 MP3 Songs
EASY LISTENING: Mood Music, NEW AGE: Celtic New Age



Details:
"Lulay" is an adaptation of "Coventry Carol", named after the city of Coventry, England, performed in the 15th Century Pageant of the Shearmen and Tailors.

The layered vocals and keyboard in this recording were performed by Lynda Johnson, with harp accompaniment performed by her daughter, Stephanie Johnson.

A note from Lynda: "My extended family sings an acapella version of this Christmas Carol together every year - we have done so for as long as I can remember. When I was a little girl, we would load up in the car and drive to our friends' houses, singing carols on their front steps and delivering the Christmas cookies my mother had made. It is a good memory, though at the time I didn't realize how unusual it was for a bunch of small children to be singing their hearts out in four part harmony.

One day soon I'd like to record my parents, brothers, sisters and me singing our traditional version of "Coventry Carol". That is why I was careful to make this arrangement completely different. This recording was created as a contribution to a benefit CD for a children's hospital.

LULAY

Lulay thou little tiny child
bye bye lulay lulay
lulay thou little tiny child
bye bye lulay lulay

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
how shall I preserve this day
thou poor youngling for whom I sing
bye bye lulay lulay

Arranged and recorded by Lynda Johnson, mixed by Scott Pergande of The Mix House in Boise, Idaho