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I named this one 'A Christmas Lullaby' because of its swaying lullaby feel which comes from the lovely lilting dotted rhythms in the melody of 'Silent Night' which underpin this piano prayer which is also based on 'The Holly and the Ivy'.

All truth be told the Holly and the Ivy is probably my least favourite Christmas carol to sing but there's something the melody itself that I just find beautifully compelling and really interesting in an unusual kind of a way.

Perhaps it's those repeated notes at the beginning that seems to herald the start of Winter? Or maybe it's the leap to the sixth that gently settles on the fifth "iv-y" and then hangs there keeping us in suspense? Then there are those gorgeous little rippling runs that are just so evocative of snow flurries and suddenly I'm standing in a woodland clearing and...

A Silent Night

Silent and still
Pinprick stars sparkle
against black velvet sky.

Silent and still
A blanket of white
Snow lies thick underfoot

Holly, ivy,
mistletoe and fir
This is your place, your time.

Silent and still
Together they stand
The trees bear their branches
(As only they can).

Silent and still
Flurries of snowflakes
Dancing lightly, abound.

King of the Wood
Bauble berries of red
The Holly is crowned

Silent and still
The most precious gift.
A whisper, a promise,
Of things yet to come.

Silent and still
Cold, crisp and even
All is calm,
All is bright.
Tonight.

Poem copyright © 2021, Catherine E. Holbrook

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released December 2, 2021
Composition, recording, poem and cover design copyright ℗ © Catherine E. Holbrook, 2021.
All Rights Reserved.

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Barefoot Piano Prayers UK

The inner whisperings of Yorkshire-based musician Catherine E. Holbrook

"When Catherine plays she creates an intimate ambiance ... it makes the listener feel privileged to immerse in her music” - Kaitlin Sobieski

"Inspirational & simply beguiling music which deserves a place amongst the greatest spiritual music we have been blessed with" - Canon Robert Law

“Treasures of the deep" - K E Johnson ... more

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