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December 15

The "Coventry Carol" is a song from the Pageant of the Shearmen and Tailors, performed in Coventry in the 15th and 16th centuries. Several monarchs, including Richard III and Henry VII, attended the Coventry plays. This song tells the story of Herod's slaughter of the innocents.

This piece is performed on piano by Mark Gionfriddo. Mark directs the Jazz Program and is Catholic Music Director at Mount Holyoke College, Liddy's alma mater. Though he does have a Steinway M in his office and always prefers to play "the real thing", he recorded his selection using his Ensoniq KS-32 weighted action synthesizer digitally interfaced to his office iMac. Mark selected a Steinway grand piano sample instrument in Logic Studio. He believes in keeping up with technology- and now plays many gigs using a synth and a MacBook Pro with Logic Studio, which not surprisingly is a lot easier on his back muscles!

Downloads: mp3 mp3 (256 kbps)

Coventry Carol

Performed by Mark Gionfriddo on piano

Words: Pageant of the Shearmen and Tailors, 15th century; attr. Robert Croo, 1534.
Music: English melody, 15th century (published 1591).

Refrain
Lul-ly, lul-la, thou little tiny child,
By, by, lul-ly, lul-lay.
Lul-ly, lul-la, thou little tiny child,
By, by, lul-ly, lul-lay.

O sisters, too,
How may we do
For to preserve this day
This poor youngling
For whom we do sing,
By, by, lul-ly, lul-lay.

Refrain

Herod the King,
In his raging,
Charged he hath this day
His men of might,
In his own sight,
All children young to slay.

Refrain

Then woe is me,
Poor child, for thee!
And ever morn and day,
For thy parting
Neither say nor sing
By, by, lul-ly, lul-lay.

Refrain

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