A Virgin Unspotted facts for kids

"A Virgin Unspotted" is a well-known Christmas carol. It's a traditional song often sung during the Christmas season.

Exploring "A Virgin Unspotted"

Where Did This Carol Begin?

The oldest known version of "A Virgin Unspotted" dates back to 1661. This early version was written down in a book called "New Carolls for this Merry Time of Christmas". People believe this carol might be based on another similar song called "A Virgin Most Pure".

How Does the Music Sound?

This carol has an interesting musical style. In the verses, it has a 3/4 rhythm. This means it has three beats in each measure, giving it a steady, flowing feel. However, when it gets to the chorus, the rhythm changes to 6/8. This makes the music feel faster and more lively, with six quick beats in each measure.

A Song from Folk Tradition

"A Virgin Unspotted" was also a popular song in the English folk tradition. This means it was passed down through generations by people singing it, rather than being written down by a single composer. Many different versions of the song existed.

For example, a singer named Emily Bishop from Herefordshire sang a version that was recorded. Peter Kennedy, a famous folklorist, recorded her singing in 1952. You can even listen to this recording through the British Library Sound Archive. Another version was sung by Harold Boucher, which can also be found and heard online. These recordings help us understand how the song changed over time and how different people sang it.