21 December 2010

The Infant King

Usually, one particular carol that we sing over Advent ends up staying with me for the entire carolling period. It's been rather a peculiar season this year, the inconvenience of a broken ankle just at the start of carolling season has really fouled things up. I'm pleased to say it didn't stop me going out entirely, but there's only so much you can do when you're reliant on family to drive you around. You tend to lose your independence somewhat.

Anyway, the carol that has stayed with me this year has been 'The Infant King', which is often entitled 'Sing Lullaby'. The words were penned by Reverend Sabine Baring-Gould, who is best-known for writing "Onward, Christian Soldiers" and "Now the Day Is Over". It's an English version of a Basque carol entitled "Oi Betleem!". Well worth another sing this year.

Sing lullaby!
Lullaby baby, now reclining, sing lullaby!
Hush, do not wake the infant King.
Angels are watching, stars are shining
over the place where He is lying:
sing lullaby!

Sing lullaby!
Lullaby baby, now a-sleeping, sing lullaby!
Hush, do not wake the infant King.
Soon will come sorrow with the morning,
soon will come bitter grief and weeping:
sing lullaby!

Sing lullaby!
Lullaby baby, now a-dozing, sing lullaby!
Hush, do not wake the infant King.
Soon comes the cross, the nails, the piercing,
then in the grave at last reposing;
sing lullaby!

Sing lullaby!
Lullaby! is the babe awaking? Sing lullaby!
Hush, do not stir the infant King.
Dreaming of Easter, gladsome morning.
conquering death, its bondage breaking:
sing lullaby!

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Happy Christmas!

1 comment:

DebDessaso said...

Thanks for the posting. "The Infant King" has become one of my favorite Christmas songs since I discovered it on the CD "Carols from Clare." (If you haven't heard this recording, I urge you to get it!) After the previous verses about Christ's sufferings, the line "Dreaming of Easter gladsome morning, conquering death its bondage breaking" is a stirringly fitting conclusion.

Hallelujah!

Thanks again for posting!