Infant Holy, Infant Lowly

Program Notes:

Ontario-based Jeffrey Enns, the composer of Da Pacem championed by Elektra in recent years, has written new music on the words of a traditional Polish carol. All the elements are here, from oxen to angels and shepherds.

Conductor Notes:

SSAA a cappella. Jeff has taken the text associated with a traditional Polish carol and set it to original music. I like the texture and lines of this piece, which has his trademark mixed metres, varying tempo sections, and an overall sense of flexibility and shape.

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, nowells ringing, tidings bringing,

Christ the Babe is Lord of all.

Flocks were sleeping, shepherds keeping vigil till the morning new;

Saw the glory, heard the story, tidings of a gospel true.

Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow, praises voicing, greet the morrow.

Christ the Babe was born for you!