This was written in 1925 and is often performed with Jesukin op 4 no 2 as they were published much later in 1953 as a pair. Like Jesukin, the words are a mixture of old English and Latin. The op 13 set consists of three songs. Across Rubbra’s choral and solo song settings there are a number of Christmas related treasures like these. This setting of these words predates Britten’s more famous setting of the same text by 5 years. One wonders whether Britten, already widely read in music, knew of it.

A few weeks ago my dear friend, soprano Charlotte de Rothschild was staying with me. When she learned that we were planning another Advent calendar for you all again this year I am delighted to say that she was eager to participate. A few minutes later she had searched through her iPad for any potentially relevant Christmas songs which she might have with her and surprisingly she had quite a few. Of these, she selected to record four items including this one and that was it; we ran through each of the songs a couple of times and recorded them.

Now I have to say that learning and recording for me are not that simple, but truth to tell, Charlotte and I had recorded three of the four songs together not so many years ago on our Christmas Lullabies CD for Nimbus
[https://www.wyastone.co.uk/christmas-lullabies.html]

(NB: This CD is now called The Cradle in Bethlehem.)

I had also recorded two of the songs (this one and its companion) back in the 1990s with my late friend soprano Tracey Chadwell and had performed all three songs with Charlotte on various occasions over the years, including to Japanese audiences.

Obviously the recordings now on the Advent calendar are off the cuff recordings made in my harp room so if you would like to hear more polished versions of the carols you would be able to do so!