Balulalow (from I Sing the Birth) – Carol Barnett

Composer: Carol Barnett

Text by: Wedderburn (traditional)

Instrumentation: SATB divisi, percussion

Duration: c 3'45"

Date Written:  2003

Composer’s note:  I Sing the Birth was written in 2003 for the South Bend Chamber Singers, Nancy Menk, director. It begins as a traditional celebratory Christmas suite, joyously announcing the birth, telling of the shepherds and wise men, singing a lullaby. It goes on to tell of four-year-old Jesus and the miracle of the birds, and ends with a prayer to keep the ardent joy of Christmas in us always. The first two movements share the jubilant sound of A major. The last two movements flow together, connected by the spirit of prayer and the key of B major. The lullaby stands alone, a peaceful interlude in the midst of deeply felt emotions.

Set in the traditional, gently rocking 6/8 rhythm of a lullaby, and supported by the dreamy sound of marimba played with soft mallets, “Balulalow” carries us off to sleep in the reassuring tonality of G Mixolydian.

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text

O my deare hert, young Jesu sweit,
Prepare thy creddil in my spreit,
And I sall rock thee in my hert,
And never mair from thee depart.

But I sall praise thee evermore,
With sanges sweit unto thy gloir:
The knees of my hert sall I bow,
And sing that richt balulalow.
– Wedderburn, 1567