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Christmas Song Trivia Contest Day 2: "A Slumber Song of the Madonna"

12/9/2012

8 Comments

 
For more details, you can check here. Essentially, leaving a comment and answering this question will get you one entry in the contest. Grand prize is a ten dollar iTunes gift card . There are some additional great prizes as well. You may use any source for answers you like. Leave your answer in a comment below. Also, click here for ways to get additional entries. You may answer every question for one entry each time.   

The answer to yesterday's question was "Hello Dolly." If you answered that correctly, you now have one entry in the drawing. 

Today's song is  "A Slumber Song of the Madonna?" It's an unwieldy title, but the lush harmonies of this choral setting enhance the poignant lyrics, which imagine some of Mary's thoughts and feelings as she held the Baby Jesus. I find this song very moving, focusing as it does on a moment of great tenderness in a scene that mingles universal experiences, like a mother quieting a new baby, with something beyond anything any of us can imagine.  The lyrics are by Alfred Noyes, music by Michael Head. I typed the lyrics below so you can see them if you like. They're a bit hard to hear. 

Trivia question: Alfred Noyes was an agonistic. In later life, he converted to what faith? Leave your answer in a comment below.
"Sleep, little baby, I love thee; 
Sleep, little king, I am bending above thee! 
 How shall I know what to sing Here in my arms as I swing thee to sleep? 
 Hushaby low, Rockaby so. 
Kings may have wonderful jewels to bring, 
Mother has only a kiss for her king! 
Why should my singing so make me to weep? 
Only I know that I love thee, I love thee, L
ove thee, my little one, sleep."
Source: Lyricsplayground.com
8 Comments
TisforTonya link
12/9/2012 02:15:47 am

Interesting reading this morning to find this one out... Catholicism is the quick answer, but now I kind of want to read one of those books where he describes the journey.

Reply
Tamara
12/9/2012 02:17:21 am

Catholicism :-)

Reply
Michelle Bitner Smith
12/9/2012 07:19:29 am

Catholicism. Beautiful song!

Reply
Cathy Jeppsen link
12/9/2012 01:32:08 pm

Catholicism.

Reply
Sharla
12/2/2013 05:18:23 pm

I sang this song in High School and loved it, and now I can't find the right music anywhere. When I look up the music by Michael Head it's a different tune! But the one Mormon Tabernacle choir sings is the right one. Wish I could find the sheet music!

Reply
Braden
12/3/2013 11:55:16 pm

I am glad you liked it! It is so frustrating when music goes unavailable!

Reply
Kristina
11/23/2014 03:56:16 pm

Listening to this song is like returning to the most secure moments of my childhood. What album is this on? I can't find it on iTunes but I would love to buy it! Where did you find it?

Reply
Lindsay
12/12/2014 07:18:21 am

Is this on one of their albums? I'm desperate for a copy and can't find it anywhere!

Reply

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