What child is this?

"Baby Jesus" by Deborah Woodall (c) 2005
(click link to see her blog)

I have no idea who Deborah is. She posts these beautiful paintings to her blog yet remains anonymous to us all. Click on the painting to link to her site.

The original author of the English folk tune, Greensleeves, the melody behind this Christmas Carol, may also remain a mystery forever. However, it is well known that the words of this carol were penned by William Dix in 1865.

Although you don't hear the words in my recording, I most definitely was thinking them as I played the music. And even though my version sounds almost sad, in fact, this carol is actually written in a minor key. When it's slowed down like this, it sounds very brooding.. but instead, I like to think of it as contemplative.

Ask any mother, childbirth is an exciting time, but it is also very exhausting. The last chorus of this carol indicates that Mary is singing to the baby. I'm sure she was happy yet tired. This particular little baby had a big mission ahead of him, and so far He was off to a rough start...

So, sleep little child...

Raise, raise a song on high,
The virgin sings her lullaby.
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary

What child is this.Mp3 arrangement (c) 2006 William Cushman (5:28 / 5.1Mb)
To directly download to your computer click this icon:

*New* - for a copy of the sheet music of this arrangement - Click HERE for a pdf copy ..Please note that this arrangement is Copyright protected and cannot be published without permission.
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Want to use this piece in your project or website - royalty & commercial free at no cost?
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Send me a quick email: Email

-Bill

Angels

Some of my favorite music of all time is Christmas music. I tend to lean away from Rudolf and Frosty and more towards the classic hymns and Mel Torme sort of stuff.

I know it sounds cheesy, but my favorite Christmas Album of all time is the Carpenters Christmas Portrait. Growing up, we used to have an old LP of it, and around this time of year we'd dust it off, drop the needle and fill the house with Karen's dreamy intoxicating voice.

I have my own piano versions of most of the classic songs.. and someday, if you tune into this blog long enough, you might get a chance to hear them all, if I can persuade my wife to sing them for me.

About 3 years ago, I noticed that I had never experimented with "Angels from the Realms of Glory". The song is always accredited to James Montgomery in 1816.. but he was the lyricist, the music was composed by Henry Smart.

So.. I dug up our old Presbyterian Hymnal and played through the song a couple of times. Then, I hit record, closed my eyes, tried not to think about the notes, but instead.. I found myself soaring through the clouds, imagining what it would be like looking down on the earth on the day Jesus was born, and hearing the Angels sing out in chorus...

Angels.Mp3 (c) 2002 William Cushman (6:21 / 5.9Mb)
For just the 20 second sample, click here.
To directly download to your computer click this icon:
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Want to use this piece in your project or website - royalty & commercial free at no cost?
Just ask.
Send me a quick email: Email

-Bill