Shepherd's Pipe Carol facts for kids
Quick facts for kids "Shepherds' Pipe Carol" |
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|---|---|
| Song | |
| Language | English |
| Written | 1966 |
| Published | 1967 |
| Genre | Christmas carol |
| Composer(s) | John Rutter |
The Shepherd's Pipe Carol is a popular Christmas carol. It was written by John Rutter in 1966. He was a university student at the time. The song was published a year later, thanks to David Willcocks.
Contents
How the Carol Was Created
John Rutter wrote this carol in 1966. He was 18 years old. At that time, he was studying at Clare College. This college is part of the famous University of Cambridge in England.
Rutter said he got the idea for the song from an opera. When he was a boy, he sang in an opera called Amahl and the Night Visitors. In the story, the main character goes to Bethlehem. He hears pipe music on his journey. This sound stayed with Rutter and inspired him years later.
First Performances and Publishing
The Shepherd's Pipe Carol was first sung by the Choir of Clare College, Cambridge. John Rutter himself led the choir during a Christmas concert. A few days later, a very important person heard about it. This was David Willcocks. He was the director of the Choir of King's College, Cambridge.
Willcocks asked for a copy of Rutter's music. He then helped get the song published in 1967. This was the very first song John Rutter ever had published! Later, Rutter and Willcocks worked together often. They helped create the Carols for Choirs songbooks for the Church of England.
A Song of Hope
Before the Soviet Union broke apart, this carol became special in some countries. Choirs in the Baltic states (like Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania) would sing it. They would share copies of the music. Singing the carol was a quiet way to show their spirit and hope during a difficult time.
What the Carol Is About
The lyrics of the Shepherd's Pipe Carol tell a story. It's about a shepherd boy. He is playing his pipe music on the way to Bethlehem. This happens after the annunciation to the shepherds, when angels told shepherds about Jesus's birth.
The boy in the song says he will play his music for the baby Jesus. He wants to perform for him when he reaches the stable. This is the place where the Star of Bethlehem led people. The music for the carol is written for a choir (SATB) and an organ or a small orchestra.
