Sweet was the Song is a traditional English carol dating from the 16th century depicting the Virgin Mary singing a lullaby to the new-born Jesus. This setting for mixed voices (no divisi) and organ reflects the text with gentlerocking phrases, static harmonies and a simple melodic line. The music is coloured by soft dissonances, conveying a sense of mystery and uncertainty.

This piece is taken from a larger work An Old Belief which deals with thesubject of religious faith in times of cr...