Jesus, Jesus Rest Your Head

Published by Roger Dean Publishing Company
as part of the Janet Galvàn Choral Series
Catalog # 15/2168R

SA/piano
Traditional Christmas text in English
Duration: 3 1/2 minutes
Difficulty rating (1-5): 2

The last thing I wanted to do was write a sweet, but mundane little piece with the standard harmonies. blha, blah, blah -- what's the point? And in looking at some of the text I noticed the line about "all the evil folk" -- this is not what you usually hear about at Christmas time, when we usually only hear about joy and light. So I really felt that the whole piece should take on a somewhat misterioso, haunting, melancholy air, with special attention to setting that text line with strange, unsettling harmonies without seeming ridiculous of course.

I also have made this very singable for young choirs -- the piano supports the singers well, the ranges are comfy, the treble 2's are not ignored, and there are plenty of long legato lines a good director could use to teach line. Add in very lyrical piano part and a young choir has a strong, unique, artistic piece which isn't that hard to prepare as a choir.

TEXT

Jesus, Jesus, rest your head,

you have got a manger bed.

All the evil folk on earth

sleep in feathers at their birth.

Jesus, Jesus, rest your head,

you have got a manger bed.

Have you heard about our Jesus?

Have you heard about his fate?

How his mother went to the stable

on that Christmas Eve so late?

Winds were blowing, cows were lowing,

stars were glowing, glowing, glowing.

(repeat chorus)

To the manger came the Wise Men

bringing things from hin and yon,

for the mother and the father,

and the blessed little Son.

Shepherds left their fields and flocks

and sat beside the ass and ox.

(repeat chorus)

(Partial Score)

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PAUL CAREY composer / conductor
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