MacMillan, James - The Christ-Child's Lullaby (SATB with divisi & celeste)
for mixed voices (SATB div) & obbligato celesta, glockenspiel, piano, organ or harp
Text: English (after Scottish Gaelic by Fr Ranald Rankin)
Duration: c6 minutes
Difficulty: 3/5
This carol, extracted from James MacMillan’s Christmas Oratorio (2020), is an arrangement of the traditional Hebridean melody, ‘Tàladh Chrìosda’, with English text derived from the Scottish Gaelic of Ranald Rankin. The simple but beautiful melody, characterised by its folk atmosphere and ‘scotch-snap’ rhythm, is plainly presented, with just sustained vocal accompaniment becoming more expanded in the ‘Haleluia’ refrains, reminiscent of the bagpipe drone and creating a wonderful sonorous effect. Between each verse and refrain, and also opening and closing the piece, is a tempo-free and flexible a piacere interlude from the accompanying instrument (celesta, glockenspiel, piano, organ or harp) – contemplative moments punctuating the warm choral sections. An approachable carol which will bring something new and less usual to your choir’s Christmas performance.
Text
My love and tender one are you,
My sweet and lovely son are you
You are my love and darling you,
Unworthy, I of You.
Haleluia
Your mild and gentle eyes proclaim
The loving heart with which you came,
A tender, helpless, tiny babe
With boundless gifts of grace.
Haleluia
King of Kings, most holy one,
God a son, eternal one
You are my God and helpless son,
My ruler of mankind.
Haleluia
after Scottish Gaelic by
Fr Ranald Rankin (1811–63)
James MacMillan
Born in Scotland in 1959, James MacMillan studied at Edinburgh and Durham Universities and now lives in Largs. His early successes as a composer in the 1990s included The Confession of Isobel Gowdie, premiered at the BBC Proms, and the percussion concerto Veni, Veni, Emmanuel written for Evelyn Glennie. MacMillan has a special interest in choral composition, ranging from simple liturgical settings for use in church services, to major works for choir and orchestra including Seven Last Words from the Cross, Quickening and St John Passion. His music has been championed and recorded by leading choirs and vocal groups including Cappella Nova, Polyphony, The Hilliard Ensemble, The Sixteen, Westminster Cathedral Choir and the Netherlands Chamber Choir. With their Gaelic inflections and characteristic mixing of ancient and modern, his works have also proved popular with amateur chamber choirs around the world.