Sleep, little Jesus, sleep - Liversidge, Mark

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"The original inspiration for this piece came from the title, which was the last line of a poem I read at a concert. I had a huge amount of trouble getting my teeth around the phrase and this piece became something of a catharsis! The only overlap in text between the poem and this piece is the title. This was also written as a piece for Ephiphany. Having helped to introduce an Epiphany Carol Service at our church, I was looking for an alternative to the Coventry Carol that covered similar themes. Having not found one, I decided to write one myself. (The third verse makes a reference to Ramah. This refers to Matthew 2:18, which describes the coming to pass of Jeremiah's prophecy.)"

◈ Genre / Form → Anthems

♯ Key G minor

⁄ Time Signature 4/4

♬ Voicing → SA

◆ Difficulty

Intermediate

↕ Range G2 – E-5

¶ Language → English

Measures 14

Texture mixed texture

Parts 2

Instruments SA

Pages 1

CPDL # 31429

Editor Mark Liversidge

Posted 2014-03-07

License Personal

♫Pitch Ranges

MusicXML Part

G2 – C4

¶Lyrics / Text

1. Sleep, little Jesus, sleep, The ox and ass their watch shall keep so Sleep, little Jesus, sleep. In Bethlehem you came to Earth, A stable for your humble birth; Now sleep, little Jesus, sleep. 2. Sleep, little Jesus, sleep While wise men come from far away to See, little Jesus, sleep. The star that guides them on their way Will show them where their gifts to lay While you, little Jesus, sleep. 3. Wake, little Jesus, wake, The angel guides your leave to take, So Mary and Joseph take Your son, as Herod soon will kill, The infants' blood his fear will spill, And Ramah its lament make. 4. Sleep, little Jesus, sleep, For now in Egypt safety seek, The angels a watch will keep. One day from death in triumph rise, Your love the world now glorifies; for now, little Jesus, sleep.