The Snowman
op. 413
Strings (or pno)
Cradle Song for Two Trebles and Orchestra
An arrangement of "Christmas Lullaby" op. 413 with a secular lyric
First Performance: Martlesham Cantilena Choir directed by Helen Patricia Burrows, St John’s Ipswich, 7.15; Suffolk Festival of the Performing Arts, 10 October 2006.
Cradle Song
Lyric by Howard Blake 2004
Daylight ending, night beginning,
Blackbird quietly homeward winging,
Evening star a jewel appearing
In the gently dark’ning sky
Families to their homes returning,
Setting fires and candles burning,
Gleams of light like fingers stealing
Softly round the passers-by.
Distant voices faintly heard,
Here a cry and there a word,
Sounds of tears and sudden laughter
Quelling all our fear.
Close nearby a mother singing,
Infant son to his cradle bringing,
Moonlight through the windows streaming,
Casting spells on children dreaming
Safe and sound and sleeping till
The dawn shall rise on another day.
Lullaby, lullaby
Lullaby, lullaby