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Composer Carson P. Cooman
Text Richard Leach
Voicing SATB, a capella
Season Christmas
Price $1.65 (U.S.)
Released 6/10
Catalog no. 405-275 Difficulty Mod. easy
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Description
This delightful carol sets a text by Richard Leach that celebrates the birth of the infant Jesus while the "kings of the world" are sleeping. Though fast in tempo, the tone is hushed. The first stanza is in unison and the music breaks into parts for the two remaining stanzas. It would make an excellent opener for a carol service.
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Review
"Richard Leach's 1993 poem provides the text for this simple but effective piece. Salvation comes to birth beneath the notice of the sleeping monarchs, and shepherds get the message: a familiar story newly told here. The first stanza is sung in unison, and the succeeding two in harmony, without elaboration or complication: direct, sweet, and almost easy, despite the many metrical changes." --AAM Journal, October 2010
Text
Kings are sleeping, let them sleep
Shepherds watch beside the sheep.
Far from royal pomp and might,
shepherds see the heav'nly light.
Kings are sleeping, let them sleep.
Kings are dreaming, let them dream:
royal fear and royal scheme.
In the field that light has blurred
shepherds hear the angel's word.
Kings are sleeping, let them sleep.
Kings are sleeping, let them sleep.
Shepherds rise, and leave the sheep--
kneel beside a manger bed,
whisper what the angel said.
Kings are sleeping, let them sleep.
--Richard Leach, 1993
Text © 1994 Selah Publishing Co., Inc.
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