These lovely carols, still little known in the UK, have haunted me for many years. I have arranged them for various ensembles (including voices!); but they sound particularly well as string pieces. The 4 carols are: In the stillness of the night; Oh, what Babe lies crying?; No soft cradle; Lullaby, dear Jesu. Although the overall mood is quietly meditative, the first has moments of noisy excitement, and the fourth - the one that is perhaps at least slightly familiar - turns into a waltz and provides a fitting finale.