The Calypso Carol is a popular modern
Christmas carol, with the opening line "See him lying on a bed of straw".
It has often been introduced by BBC announcers and others as a traditional folk carol from the
West Indies.
[ Christopher Idle, "Not just a calypso", obituary of Michael Perry in ''Evangelicals Now'', February 1997] The
calypso of the title refers to its West Indian flavour, and the words have featured on a set of Caribbean postage stamps. However, both words and music were written by an Englishman,
Michael Perry, while he was a student at
Oak Hill Theological College
Oak Hill College is a conservative evangelical theological college located on Chase Side in Southgate, London, England. Its aim is to prepare men and women from the Church of England and Independent churches for ministry in the real world.
Over ...
in 1964. Perry became one of the UK's leading contemporary hymn writers,
[ but the Calypso Carol remained his most popular work.][Michael Arnold Perry, 1942-96]
, The Hymn Society
Perry originally wrote the song for a college carol concert, and it only became famous by accident. Cliff Richard was hastily assembling a selection for radio, and included the song to replace a missing recording. It gained popularity and was included in the 1969 songbook ''Youth Praise 2''.[
In 1983, the Caribbean island of Nevis featured the chorus of "Calypso Carol" on a miniature sheet of its 1983 Christmas stamps, designed by Jennifer Toombs.][Michael Perry, ''Singing to God'', Hope Publications, 1995, page 266.] The neighbouring island of St Kitts issued a complementary sheet with the slightly older song "Mary's Boy Child
"Mary's Boy Child", also known as "Mary's Little Boy Child", is a 1956 Christmas song, written by Jester Hairston. It is widely performed as a Christmas carol.
History
The song had its genesis when Hairston was sharing a room with a friend. The ...
".
The long-running BBC programme ''Songs of Praise
''Songs of Praise'' is a BBC Television religious programme that presents Christian hymns sung in churches of varying denominations from around the UK.
The series was first broadcast in October 1961. On that occasion, the venue was the Ta ...
'' invited viewers to vote for their favourite carols throughout 2005. Tens of thousands of votes were cast, and the Calypso Carol was one of the top ten choices, performed at the Songs of Praise 2005 Christmas Concert at the Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall on the northern edge of South Kensington, London. One of the UK's most treasured and distinctive buildings, it is held in trust for the nation and managed by a registered charity which receives no govern ...
.[The nation's favourite carols]
BBC, 2005
See also
* List of Christmas carols
References
External links
See him lying on a bed of straw
lyrics, music, list of publications and associated Bible references at Jubilate Group website (registration required for full lyrics and music, without charge)
Calypso carol
, lyrics and MIDI music at Christmas Songs website
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Christmas carols
1964 songs
Calypso songs