Through his own redeeming love

Today’s piece is a staple of the “Lessons and Carols” service that Anglican churches (and some others) put on this time of year.

I can remember driving up to New Jersey from Williamsburg one year, and listening via NPR stations to the broadcast of this service from Kings College, Cambridge, which seems to be the big dog in Lessons and Carols services. As we drove away from one station’s signal, we’d pick the broadcast up on another one.

The format for “Once in Royal David’s City” is standard: single boy soprano sings the first verse solo and acapella, then the choir/congregation join in. Finally, the big blowout final verse, with descant. In my opinion, it don’t get much better than this. Youse’ll want to crank up the volume.