This Child of God : A jolly Christmas carol

This lively carol was commissioned in 2005 by Lichfield Cathedral Special Choir (now called the Cathedral Chorus) to celebrate the birth of Hannah Scriven and Holly Mason, the daughters of the two cathedral organists at thattime. The words were specially written by Tony Barnard, the then Canon Chancellor at Lichfield, and a member of the choir. This carol, whilst not entirely foreign to my normal style, touches more ‘country andwestern’/popular buttons than I am in the habit of touching. But I wanted to write a tuneful piece which swayed and danced and reflected the colourful imagery of Tony Barnard’s text.

Recommended recording:Comeout, Lazar – The shorter choral works of Paul Spicer (Regent REGCD280) by The Chapel Choir of Selwyn College, Cambridge and Claire Innes-Hopkins (organ), directed by Sarah MacDonald.

Text:

This child ofGod, who’s born on Christmas day,
whom shepherds view, to whom kings homage pay,
is called to be a shepherd and a king.
Sing alleluias, praise this wondrous thing.

This child of God isshepherd, born to lead,
through pastures green, by banks of golden reed;
nor left, nor right, but ever on the way,
which leads to Calvary and endless day.

This child of God, this Son ofDavid’s line,
is root of tree, a shoot, a fruitful vine,
it shelter gives to all who see the way
which leads them to the cross and Easter day.

This child of God, this many spangled star,
is light’ning flash which dazzles near and far;
bright light to guide our feet along the way,
that leads to Calvary and endless day.

This child of God is called to save mankind,
to openeye and ear, the heart and mind;
to heal, and make the lame man leap and play
along the road that leads to Easter Day.

This child of God, let angel voices praise.
Give God the glory, live hisloving ways.
Let peace on earth o’er come our worldly strife
through all who walk his road throughout their life.

Tony Barnard