The Children's Carol

Better known as The Coventry Carol, this work dates back at least as far as the late 16th century, although it may well be older. The story comes from the Gospel of Matthew, and tells of the prediction of Harods murder of innocent children, for fear of losing his reign. This is the song that mothers used to soothe their children, as told in the depiction from Coventry, England. While there are multiple versions of this carol in existence , this version takes some liberties. First, the use of the Picardy Third, perhaps the most recognizable portion of the cadential pattern, is not used until the final statement rather, the cadential pattern remains in the minor mode for earlier statements. Additionally, there are four verses, each in a different texture. Finally, the variations used incorporate staggered entrances (the initial statement is solo violin, and this concept is seen more in the second variation), a fiddling sequence with the melodic material in the lower voices, and extended phrases with more polyphonic ideas.