A STAR AS BRIGHT AS DAY
A Christmas Carol
text: Anon 15th century
SATB (with preferable, but optional, organ)
duration: 3:45
Having been handed down over five centuries there are now many versions of this late fifteenth century lullaby. Consequently, it is possible to replace much of the text presented here with variants - or even complete alternative verses. For example, the opening line is often seen as ‘This endris night’ which could, if preferred, be used instead of the more widely understood (but perhaps more ordinary) ‘The other night’.
Listen to the virtual choir demo:
The other night
I saw a light!
A star as bright as day!
And e'er among
A maiden sung:
"By-by, baby, lullay."
This virgin clear
Who had no peer
Unto her son did say,
"I pray thee, son,
Grant me a boon
To sing by-by, lullay."
"Let child or man,
Whoever can
Be merry on this day,
And blessings bring,
So I shall sing
'By-by, baby lullay.' "