SATB choir & Org or Pf
SKU: ST.W226
Composed by Bryan Kelly.
SATB and Organ or Piano.
Octavo. Stainer & Bell
Ltd. #W226. Published by
Stainer & Bell Ltd.
(ST.W226).
ISBN
9790220223235.
Incl
uded in the Oxford Book
of Ballads and ascribed
to an anonymous
15th-century author, the
tale of Joly Joly Wat the
shepherd who offers the
infant Christ his 'pipe,
skirt, tarbox and scripe'
is among the best-loved
of traditional Christmas
verses. Its musical
reference offers an
obvious attraction to
composers, and in Bryan
Kelly's new setting a
sprightly ritornello
embellished with trills
is the musical
counterpart to the young
herdsman's musical
instrument on which 'he
made such joy.'
Written for Simon
Williams and the Harrow
Choral Society, Joly
Joly Wat brings a
fresh and lively note to
seasonal choral concerts.
The vocal writing is
clear and
straightforward, with
occasional division of
the sopranos, and an
incisive and syncopated
style that matches the
shepherd-boy's haste to
leave his flock and his
faithful dog keeping his
'shepe fro ye corn' in
order to visit the
new-born Jesus.
Ryan Ellis
