The Christ Child Lay on Mary's Lap
Grade 3-6 Children’s Choir (or ANY age choir) for unison (with optional descant) treble voices and piano (or harp)
Text: G. K. Chesterton (1874-1936)
Worship Use: Christmas
Vocal Range: c to g’
Key: g minor > G major
Meter: 3/4
Description: The Christ Child lay on Mary’s Lap, new to our 2012-2013 Viva Voce curriculum, features the G. K. Chesterton text set to a beautiful melody composed by Michael Linton, Professor and Coordinator of Theory and Composition at Middle Tennessee State University. The rhythmically repetitive and harmonically charming accompaniment adds to the appeal of this Christmas Eve anthem.
Teaching Guide
- Teach the choristers to sing the melody on the syllable “loo” by intervals, using the piano only as a reference when needed.
- Teach the choristers to chant the words in rhythm.
- Teach the choristers to sing the melody sing the melody and words, learning to take pitch cues from the piano.
- Teach each phrase with text and melody together, emphasizing dynamics, expression and breath support.
The Christ Child lay on Mary’s lap,
His hair was like a light.
(O weary, weary is the world,
But here is all alright.)
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 flow’rs looked up at Him,
And all the Stars looked down.