December 20

"Adoration of the Christ Child" 16th Century Flemish

Telling

music composed by Michael Finnisy

and performed by

The Choir of St John's College, Cambridge

Soon must I sing with rejoicing,

For the time is run.

Of a wee child all undefiled,

The King of Heaven's Son.

His blood so red for thee was shed,

The price it was not small.

Remember well that which I tell,

And come when Jesu call.

Man stands in doubt, and seekst about,

Where that they mayst him see.

Idols they set, riches to get,

Fashioned from stone and tree.

His blood so red for thee was shed,

The price it was not small.

Remember well that which I tell,

And come when Jesu call.

Mankind I call which lies in thrall,

For love he made thee free.

Top pay the debt the price was great,

From Hell he ransomed thee.

His blood so red for thee was shed,

The price it was not small.

Remember well that which I tell,

And come when Jesu call.

This is the very first recording of this lovely carol, which is set with an ancient anonymous sixteenth-century verse. Michael Finnissy's arrangement first appeared in 2008 in a collection of new carols by contemporary composers.