A favorite carol has been spiced up by Mark Burrows with an unexpected a cappella arrangement. The traditional carol is layered on top of a wonderful rhythmic “fum, fum, fum” pattern. This anthem is definitely a challenge your choir will want to meet.

It will be important to ensure the opening “fum, fum, fum” vocal pattern is very secure. Mark Burrows has cleverly written the tambourine part to support the basses as they work for accuracy on the opening rhythm. The percussion parts are playable by high school level players but you will want to work with them to help them keep a steady tempo.

Performance options include singing as a response to the scripture reading on Christmas Eve or the Sunday after Christmas. Consider singing the final stanza (meas. 59-the end) as a response the benediction. Churches with a Christmas concert tradition will want to sing this as the opening song of the concert. Invite your liturgical dancers to choreograph this anthem.