Carol Contemplation: Infant Holy, Infant Lowly

Infant holy,
Infant lowly,
For His bed a cattle stall;
Oxen lowing,
Little knowing
Christ the Babe is Lord of all.
Swift are winging
Angels singing,
Nowells ringing,
Tidings bringing,
Christ the Babe is Lord of all.

Flocks were sleeping,
Shepherds keeping
Vigil till the morning new,;
Saw the glory,
Heard the story,
Tidings of a Gospel true.
Thus rejoicing,
Free from sorrow,
Praises voicing,
Greet the morrow,
Christ the Babe was born for you!

This is a traditional Polish carol that has been translated into English by Edith M. G. Reed. I like it very much, especially since it contains almost no pronouns and very few subjects. It cuts out every extraneous word and focuses on actions and direct objects, distilling the Christmas story into verses very similar to modern poetry. It wastes no time on flowery description, nor does it wax poetic for over five verses. It gets it done, as they say, with terse yet evocative economy.

The tune is a lovely thing as well, building up to the triumphant "Christ the Babe was born for you!" It is somewhat difficult to sing, having, as we like to say on the Praise team, no air in it at all. But it bubbles up with joy and rejoicing.

Sadly, I don't have a recorded version of this song! I know! SHocking! I have to wait until I hear it on the radio or in a store or something, and then I sing along quite happily. Anyone out there know of a nice version one could download? I'd love to know!

Christmas 1979. Them pants is stylin'!