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The Christ​-​Child Lay (Chesterton​/​Hadaway)

from Dancing Day: songs for Christmas and Yule by Merry Hadaway

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    A pretty A5 book, with artwork by Somhairle Kelly, containing lyrics and sheet music (the tune, and chords where relevant) for all the songs on the EP.

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about

The other G.K. Chesterton setting on the EP! Chesterton actually called the poem "A Christmas Carol", and also gave at least one other poem the same title, hence my using the first few words instead.

I love the charming, powerful simplicity of Chesterton's poem, the reminders of the subversiveness of the birth of Jesus (in opposition to the "stern" and "cunning" establishment!), and naturally, the glorious final verse, with the whole of nature watching the toddler God in amazement. :-)

I wrote the tune in the winter of 2013, the second that I wrote for this EP, and still probably my favourite.

lyrics

The Christ-child lay on Mary's lap,
His hair was like a light.
(O weary, weary were the world,
But here is all aright.)

The Christ-child lay on Mary's breast,
His hair was like a star.
(O stern and cunning are the kings,
But here the true hearts are.)

The Christ-child lay on Mary's heart,
His hair was like a fire.
(O weary, weary is the world,
But here the world's desire.)

The Christ-child stood at Mary's knee,
His hair was like a crown,
And all the flowers looked up at him,
And all the stars looked down.

credits

from Dancing Day: songs for Christmas and Yule, released December 6, 2014

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about

Merry Hadaway image

Merry Hadaway Stonehaven, UK

Folk singer, ukulele player and songwriter. Queer, disabled, trans, Christo-Pagan, powered by waves and mountains. :-)

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