Here is the Little Door

"Here is the Little Door" by Herbert Howells, performed by the Roosevelt Academy Chamber Choir on the 6th of February 2010.

Text:

Here is the little door, lift up the latch, oh lift!
We need not wander more but enter with our gift
Our gift of finest gold.
Gold that was never bought nor sold
Myrrh to be strewn about His bed
Incense in clouds about His head.
All for the Child that stirs not in His sleep,
But holy slumber hold with ass and sheep.

Bend low about His bed, for each He has a gift.
See how His eyes awake, lift up your hands, O lift!
For gold, He gives a keen-edged sword
(Defend with it Thy little Lord!)
For incense, smoke of battle red
Myrrh for the honoured happy dead.
Gifts for His children, terrible and sweet
Touched by such tiny hands and
Oh such tiny feet

Words: Francis Chesterton (1874-1936)
Music: Herbert Howells (1892-1983)