Composer

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Christmas Traditional

Genre

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Miscellaneous

Style

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Song

Average_duration

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2:34

'Lute Book Lullaby' is a traditional Christmas carol that has been passed down through generations. The exact date of its composition is unknown, but it is believed to have originated in England during the 16th century. The carol is also known as 'Coventry Carol' as it was traditionally performed in the city of Coventry during the Christmas season. The carol is written in a minor key and has a haunting melody that is often performed on the lute, hence the name 'Lute Book Lullaby'. The lyrics tell the story of the Massacre of the Innocents, which is the biblical account of King Herod's order to kill all male infants in Bethlehem in an attempt to eliminate the newborn Jesus. The carol is divided into four movements, each representing a different scene from the story. The first movement describes the mothers of Bethlehem weeping for their children. The second movement depicts the angel warning Joseph to flee to Egypt with Mary and Jesus. The third movement describes the soldiers carrying out Herod's orders and the fourth movement is a lullaby sung by Mary to her son. The carol's characteristics include its melancholic melody, its use of a minor key, and its somber lyrics. It is often performed acapella or with minimal accompaniment to emphasize the emotional impact of the story. The carol has been recorded by numerous artists over the years and remains a popular Christmas song to this day.

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