This is another touching nativity scene in song from Patricia Smith’s new collection for Advent and Christmas, And the Angels Sang.
When you look at Willow for the sheet music there is the keyboard arrangement from the folio, but also SAB, clarinet and cello parts that would get everyone playing and singing.
Normally I just use the chords, the melody and BIAB to make backings. Smith gives no chords here so I had to nut them out, but I also entered a lot of her keyboard part into the arrangement for a change.
1 When Christ was born, they laid him in a manger, warm and dry,
Where ox and ass bowed their heads our hearts we bow.
2 When Peace was born, they wrapped him in a new cloth, soft and white
Which willing hands had woven strong our wills we bend.
3 When Joy was born, the night was filled with singing: “Gloria!”
The stars, unpinned, hung over his bed. Homage we bring.
4 When Love was born, the shepherds ran to see him, hearts on fire.
They stood and gazed, weeping for love. God with us.
© 2014 P A Smith administered by Willow Publishing