Coventry Carol - Westminster Cathedral Choir

[biggerthanacadillac]

Most Surely ONE of this world's MOST exquisite pieces of Music. Anyone NOT deeply moved by this ~ in ALL its aspects, modality, medievality, musicality & MOSTLY the ethos of the terrifyingly POWERFUL & simply heart-wrenching lyrics which cut to the very HEART of the human condition ~ needs to stick with "The Birdies Song" or ~ say ~ "The Saints"!!! Sorry!

[deedragongirl]

This carol always frighten me for strange reasons!

[globaljg]

I hope this continues to endure...

[iwtmltyb]

Wow. So incredibly touching and powerful. Made doubly so by the fact I'm listening to this on Christmas Eve.

[Hannah91393]

goooooooooosebumps....every time. simply gorgeous and haunting.

[rosiethebear300]

Thank you for sharing this - it is my absolute favorite christmas carol and this choir does a most glorious job with it. It doesn;t get better than this I think.

[NianFreak]

I love singing that in our choir ;)

[divedeepinside]

loooooooooooooooooooooooooove it

[TheLyricsForLife]

I used to live there :D

[ilyou8]

We're singing this for our holiday concert! Hope we do just as good <3

[leslieburnsforlove]

My chior class is singing this!

[HydraxSly202]

This is my favorite Christmas song of all time. Sure, it is depressing (which I have been told countless times), but it so beautiful that it transcends said feeling and envelops me in this gorgeous, soothing eeriness that brings tears to my eyes. Some of the best music in the world is sad because it inspires an emotion within yourself and touches you. I love it. :)

[andarvson]

ive known this song ever since my school had it in music classes 5 years ago... now im digging it up again. lovely.

[worldgymrank]

Oh how lovely! Thank you for sharing.



[embrezar]

I wish the audio quality was better, as it washes out when it gets too loud, but other than that this is a great rendition of one of the few Christmas songs I actually like. I typically hate Christmas music, but I've always loved this song and I love to hear new versions of it.

[DefaultPosition]

This is pretty f**king awesome!

[killmajaro1]

I love this song, I did it when I was in 7th grade. It was THE most fun I've ever had with a choral piece.

[Shanniquitie]

it's childermas soon

[edgoldfarbmusic]

Sounds a bit different from my solo piano version. Lovely all the same.

[mrmonkeyisland1]

We can all appreciate the beauty. I am atheist and I love it. There is no division in beauty, it simply is.

[Shanniquitie]

@mrmonkeyisland1 who cares if you are an atheist? this is a christian song.

[weaponutjoe]

Lullay, Thou little tiny Child, By, by, lully, lullay. Lullay, Thou little tiny Child. By, by, lully, lullay. O sisters, too, how may we do, For to preserve this day; This poor Youngling for whom we sing, By, by, lully, lullay. Herod the King, in his raging, Charged he hath this day; His men of might, in his own sight, All children young, to slay. Then woe is me, poor Child, for Thee, And ever mourn and say; For Thy parting, nor say nor sing, By, by, lully, lullay. plz vote so ppl can read

[BerkeleyMews7]

I love this carol and the way is is performed here. Thank you for this beautiful vid. : )

[FlamingFairy]

My favourite carol, so lovely it makes me cry

[porkchopsisgood]

Nothing like a picardy third....ahhhhh. This is by far my favorite Christmas carol of all time.

[JFman00]

Anyone know the recording of this that uses false relations pretty extensively? It was paired with sheet music here on youtube. I can't find it for the life of me.

[envioustime]

incredibly beautiful....words can't do justice

[riro691]

maravillozas voces....no creen ?

[DottyWang]

So much of Christmas is Pagan (to use the word a bit loosely) or at least, pre-Christian. The tree, the candles, the holly, the ivy and the mistletoe, the candles and of course the feasting. Wise old St Augustine - he said not to destroy Pagan symbols and places, but to Christianise them. Of course Pagans enjoy and celebrate Christmas, the great Mid-Winter festival. Even we Buddhists do sometimes.

[ImperialistRunningDo]

@DottyWang Namaste!

The lyrics of this song, though, are strictly new-testament about the slaughter of the innocents, It is the only carol to have survived from the mystery play "The Pageant of the Shearmen and Tailors."

[louiiise44]

beautiful...

[misscherylcole1999]

I have been there i went about a month ago, i sing for coventry cathedral, and we went to sing the war requiem im only 11!!

[Warthog6400]

First heard this three or four years ago. I can't imagine how we missed it. I used to sing in a church choir and this reminds me of that time when church music was dignified, even haunting. Fantastic.

[jski319]

I am not an atheist. I am a christian lost in the darkness of a practical existence. One without mystery or the miraculous, but moments like this remind me to close my eyes and open my heart, .....and listen. The silence that follows is a knowing silence, a humbling silence of crystal clarity. Too profound to be just empty.

[John27346]

@jski319 Yeah, but if a tree falls in a forest, does it make a sound and what is the sound of one hand clapping etc.

[pla1945]

One of those few times when I can say nothing...thank you for posting this.

[IntenseBesties4Ever]

Wow! I got goosebumps listening to this! Beautiful... simply outstanding!

[linzapp]

Two people have no souls. I'm a Pagan, and I love this song. Good music is good. :)

[MyWorldIsPurple]

@linzapp Haha, I'm pagan too and also love this song. Blessed be x

[PURPLEBEATTIE1]

Beautiful.Nothing better than the traditional Christmas music is there?

[josparkes1]

Very beautiful and sacred, love it !

[Seasonofgoodwill09]

Favourite christmas carol, fantastic! thankyou and merry christmas..

[JoshuaH688]

Beautiful.  It inspires a purity of reflection which is difficult to put into words, but unmistakable.

[KamiVV]

Simply beautiful. Music grandeur. What is the name of CD it is on?

[KamiVV]

Simply beautiful. Music grandeur.

[ldyk11]

Stunning! This had me in tears. Absolutely gorgeous!

[BoonejessicaREAL]

my choir are singing this! and im in 7th grade ;p

[BoonejessicaREAL]

my choir are singing this!

[MegaLee25]

This song is so pretty! We are singing it in my school's choir for the Christmas concert.

[malibusparkle]

which arrangement is this?

[musicmaniak98]

i agree with ptorangstudios

[PtOrangEstudios]

finnaly a choir that sings it normaly

slowly and with the full parts

beautiful carol :) well im going to like it im from coventry

[rjusad5]

Love it!

[luixis]

Sublime, just sublime, feel like entering to the side of God

[moderatocantabile08]

The most beautiful Christmas song ever.

Thank you for posting.

[phillygrl69]

@moderatocantabile08 Yes, it is...I have always loved it. God Bless....

[cuzicantstop2007]

Absolutely the most beautiful sounding, yes.

Such a creepy history to the song though.

[regularbonj]

@moderatocantabile08 why is this a christmas song? just because its called a carol? it has nothing to do with christmas, except they both feature the same fake historical figure.

[kenjethics]

@regularbonj

How can one be both Historical and fake? Besides there is much historical evidence that Jesus was real. Both biblical and non-biblical. Your comment reveals a simplistic and antagonistic mind. A beautiful song, with a beautiful message of hope.

[warblerab]

@regularbonj I guess you didn't read the description of the history of this song at the top of this page. It comes from a 16th century play about The Christmas story.  The carol refers the slaughter of the children that King Herod ordered. It certainly seems like it has something to do with Christmas if you ask me.

[jlhist64]

@regularbonj You sir, are an idiot...Get faith man and keep your comments to your self...

[MattyRlufc]

@jlhist64 Im an atheist so I can't agree that "faith" is necessarily a good thing, but I think we can all agree that music like this is the most beautiful in the world and effects us in a way nothing else can. So religion isn't all bad.

[muscleboi4use]

WOW... thank you for uploading. My old choir. Former chorister 1980-84

[drwestbury]

Such a great choir. You must be very proud to have been part of it.

[Videoman1ism]

@drwestbury i agre about the choir

[musicmaniak98]

this is my third year in a choir in my school

i wish there we cood learn this music

[Operaandchant90]

@muscleboi4use wow, you must be so proud. there are so many church choirs out there that are very famous, but are so weak. this is the opposite. this is real singing!

[m67jw]

Simply profound to listen to late in the evening of Christmas Day

[josparkes1]

Very beautiful, happy Christmas everyone !

[slavaboga1]

There is a beautiful poem (by Ken Bible)that is sung to this tune. It's titled Infinite Lord-- "Infinite Lord, my infant King, throned in humility. Your only robe- your swaddling clothes, crying- your first decree. Your grand domain, your crown and train- darkness and dust and sheep. Jesus- in dust and hay I kneel, stabled in deepest need. My only robes- Your righteousness; "Mercy-" my only plea; My light-Your gaze; My song-Your praise; my hope and prayer-Your peace."

[azsnakepit22]

Beautiful!!!!! One of my favourite carols. Thank you for sharing this!! And I agree,

theyvegonetoplaid, you have an amazing way with words!

[ShantiOoom]

Thanks so much. To be there must be a very spiritual experience.

[Andowyr]

Just beautiful. This is how this carol should be sung.

[acidhouse2]

i love this song and really best version. best wishes from Turkey

[KellyJadeSharade]

im scared. we are singing this for my choir next week, and after reading the description, im not to sure...

[theyvegonetoplaid]

True, it isn't exactly Frosty the Snowman. But there is such a beautiful and reverent feeling about the song; the wonderful minor/majors, the dynamics, the power of a mother's love for her child. History is often an ugly thing, but out of this tragedy came one of the most precious things this world has beheld. It is a very somber and melancholy song, but there is so much beauty to be found in it as well.

Don't let the subject scare you off. Definitely sing it.

[KellyJadeSharade]

wow. the way you said that...

i completly agree with you now. seeing your way, i understand it. i just finished singing my solo part of this song yesterday.

you are very good with words and wording things. also your good with reassurance.

[theyvegonetoplaid]

Thanks very much! I'm glad you went through with it. Merry Christmas to you

[KellyJadeSharade]

you too!

[gypsytutu]

Thank you for posting. This is beautiful.

Wonderful to see( and hear) such talented young people.

[ald2345]

From Christmas 1985 - nice to see it on you tube. Part of a special programme with a young man( aged 13) called Aled Jones :-)

[brandonichero]

Oh how hauntingly beautiful. Thank you for posting this masterpiece.

[ZhenLanDi]

Love this carol so much. Thank you.

[emeraldDreamer27]

Best version of this song i've heard.

[keiterbug]

gives me goosebumps. This is one of the best versions I have heard.

[DeaDSwiTcH]

wow wow where has this one been hiding!!! LOVE IT!!

This has made my night!! That boy at 02:00 reminds me of how MH used to sing, looks like him a bit as well :-)

[drwestbury]

LOL yes he does, more than a bit.

[lyziette]

@DeaDSwiTcH Who is "MH" ?

[drwestbury]

@lyziette That would be Michael Horncastle who used to sing with Libera

[treblechoir99]

Only wonderful, thank you for this nice moment.

[drwestbury]

They are one of the worlds great choirs. I am going to see them on Wednesday when they will sing Allegri's Miserere Mei Deus. I am excited !!

[treblechoir99]

Oh no you're a very lucky man, really. This Choir is one my favourites, with New College and Christ Church, in England. You go for the Ash Wednesday, I imagine. Good concert.

[TheSylversword21]

@drwestbury Miserere Mei Deus is the most awsome music i have ever heard. You're in for a treat.

[skyblue1955]

Bravo,that was great & i could hear the words to the song!