A Carol for the Motor Neuron Disease Association

Coventry Carol, SATB (e minor), recorded by Eleanor Minney and Gareth Treseder in March 2021 (socially distanced); PDF scores are available below, alongside details of how to donate to the Motor Neurone Disease Association, or MNDA.

In March 2021, I wrote a setting of the traditional Coventry Carol (SATB, SSAA, ATBarB, or TTBB, each with optional accompaniment; Upper Voices Duet with accompaniment in D minor or E minor) in response to Timothy Murphy's fantastic @MNDArtChallenge initiative, raising much-needed funds for the MNDA. The PDF scores are free to download should you wish to perform the work this Christmas or any other year. Please be as generous as you can in donating money towards the MNDA.

Here is the story behind this scheme in Tim's words:
Over the past six months I have become a full-time carer for my friend David, a 73 year old suffering from MND (also known as ALS). This is a rare terminal illness with few treatments and no cure. In the UK alone, six people per day are diagnosed with the condition and more than half will die within two years of diagnosis.
To read David’s story, you can visit his blog: www.deardavid.co.uk
The #MNDArtChallenge offers us the chance to share something creative on social media, to donate to the MNDA, and to encourage 5 others to do the same.
All proceeds raised by this JustGiving campaign will go directly to the MNDA and will be linked to The David Peace Fund

To donate and take part, please visit justgiving.com/fundraising/mndartchallenge

Thank you!

Coventry Carol in E minor (SATB, optional accompaniment)
Coventry Carol in D minor (SATB, optional accompaniment)
Coventry Carol (SSAA, optional accompaniment)
Coventry Carol (ATBarB, optional accompaniment)
Coventry Carol (TTBB, optional accompaniment)
Coventry Carol (SS or SA Duet with Piano/Organ, in E minor)
Coventry Carol (SS or SA Duet with Piano/Organ, in D minor)

  1. Lullay, Thou little tiny Child,
    By, by, lully, lullay.
    Lullay, Thou little tiny Child.
    By, by, lully, lullay.

  2. O sisters, too, how may we do,
    For to preserve this day;
    This poor Youngling for whom we sing,
    By, by, lully, lullay.

  3. Herod the King, in his raging,
    Charged he hath this day;
    His men of might, in his own sight,
    All children young, to slay.

  4. Then woe is me, poor Child, for Thee,
    And ever mourn and say;
    For Thy parting, nor say nor sing,
    By, by, lully, lullay.

Text attributed to Robert Croo (1534)
Music by Gareth Treseder (1985-)