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Elizabeth Alexander
Elizabeth Alexander (Seafarer Press)
Infant Holy, Infant Lowly (arr. Alexander)
A beloved Polish carol with two different arrangements: “Soulful Close Harmony” and “Classical Chorale”.
SSA a cappella
This composite edition contains two different a cappella arrangements of this beloved Polish carol. The “Soulful Close Harmony” version is caressed with folk inflections and pentatonic embellishments. The “Classical Chorale” version contain rich inner voices and poignant suspensions.In both arrangements the traditional English lyrics by Edith M. Reid are followed by an original third verse which speaks to the blessing ushered forth by all births.
Composer’s Notes
I created the “Classical Chorale” arrangement of “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly” in 1997 for a Christmas service at my church, where it was performed by a trio of high school girls. Revisiting the same carol twenty years later, I wondered how this Polish carol might be interpreted in the Carolinas and Appalachian Ohio where I spent my childhood. This thought experiment led to the creation of the “Soulful Close Harmony” arrangement! In my own Unitarian Universalist faith, Christmas is a time to celebrate the inherent sacredness and worth of all children everywhere. For this reason I crafted an original third verse which speaks to the blessing ushered forth by all births.
– Elizabeth Alexander
Text
Infant holy, infant lowly,
For his bed a cattle stall.
Oxen lowing, Little knowing,
Christ the babe is Lord of all.
Swift are winging, angels singing,
Noels ringing, Tidings bringing,
Christ the babe is Lord of all.
Flocks were sleeping, Shepherds keeping
Vigil til the morning new.
Saw the glory, Heard the story
Tidings of a gospels true.
Thus rejoicing, Free from sorrow,
Praises voicing, Greet the morrow,
Christ the babe was born for you.
Long-awaited, celebrated,
Babes are born each day and night.
Precious strangers laid in mangers
Or on bedding clean and bright.
New hearts beating, Old hearts warming,
Blessed greeting all-transforming,
Every birth brings love’s pure light.
Verse 3 © 2018 by Elizabeth Alexander
Verses 1 & 2, first published in 1921, are in the common domain.
$3.00 per licensed PDF
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