This is one of Michael Head’s most popular songs and given its loveliness, it is not hard to see why. It is one of the songs which soprano Charlotte de Rothschild and I had recorded previously for Nimbus Records, but which Charlotte happily had on her iPad when she was staying with me recently and we re-recorded for you in my harp room.

Michael Head was known predominantly as composer of songs (numbering 85 in all) and amazingly, he sang them and accompanied himself at the same time in public recitals. This song was published in 1948 although it is believed to have been composed sometime between 1945-6 and its charm is astonishing after the horrors of WWII. As well as this solo version of the song, the composer himself also arranged an SATB version.

As I walked down the road at set of sun
The lambs were coming homeward one by one
I heard a sheep-bell softly calling them
Along the little road to Bethlehem

Beside an open door as I drew nigh
I heard sweet Mary sing a lullaby
She sang about the lambs at close of day
And rocked her tiny King among the hay

Across the air the silver sheepbells rang
“The lambs are coming home,” sweet Mary Sang
“Your star of gold, your star of
Gold is shining in the sky
So sleep, my little King, go lullaby.”

As I walked down the road at set of sun
The lambs were coming homeward one by one
I heard a sheepbell softly calling them
Along the little road to Bethlehem

(Margaret Rose)