A new composition by Philip Le Bas for the standard baroque ensemble of treble recorder, (baroque) bassoon and harpsichord in a modern idiom! The inspiration for the work is a poem by G K Chesterton entitled "A Christmas Carol" (see below), contrasting the tranquility and brilliance of the Christ-child lying on his mother Mary's lap with the "weariness" of the rest of the world. The music draws on a simple setting the composer wrote of these words ("The Christ Child") but disrupts the flow with occasional non-harmonic notes and some surprising key changes, gradually shifting the tonality downwards to a more peaceful ending.

A Christmas Carol poem by G.K.Chesterton

The Christ-child lay on Mary's lap, His hair was like a light. (O weary, weary were the world, But here is all aright.)

The Christ-child lay on Mary's breast His hair was like a star. (O stern and cunning are the kings, But here the true hearts are.)

The Christ-child lay on Mary's heart, His hair was like a fire. (O weary, weary is the world, But here the world's desire.)

The Christ-child stood on Mary's knee, His hair was like a crown, And all the flowers looked up at Him, And all the stars looked down.