This traditional English carol first appeared in 1833 in William B. Sandys’ Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern of 1833. Since then it has been set by many illustrious composers such as Holst, Stravinsky, Rutter, Willcocks and Rutter who set a version for choir and harp which I have performed many times. I think in style our version owes something to the Rutter setting probably because I have been musically steeped in that one.

I have reproduced here only the first three verses of the lyrics of this exuberant Christmas carol as set in most of the versions, and these lead up to the nativity. In the longest complete version of the carol the story goes on in the lyrics to cover Christ’s crucifixion, rising again and ascent into heaven. The dance in question is Christ’s life and the story is told in the first person which is quite unusual in a carol setting. 

The ‘legend of my play’ is suggestive of Medieval mystery plays which could take the song back that far in origin and it is said that the carol drives from Cornwall although the melody feels rather more recent than something that old.