The Holy Boy facts for kids

"The Holy Boy" is a short and famous piece of music. It was written by an English composer named John Ireland. It's one of his most well-known works, along with his hymn "My Song Is Love Unknown".

This piece was first written for a single piano. But over almost 30 years, Ireland changed it for many different instruments. Playing "The Holy Boy" usually takes about three minutes.

What is "The Holy Boy"?

"The Holy Boy" is a beautiful and simple piece of music. It was first created in December 1913. It was published in 1915 as part of a set of four piano pieces called Preludes for Piano.

How it Started

John Ireland was the organist at St Luke's Church, Chelsea when he wrote this music. He was inspired by a young singer, a chorister, at the church named Bobby Glassby. Bobby became one of Ireland's special students. Some people think the title "The Holy Boy" might have come from a poem by Harold Munro.

What it Sounds Like

The music has a simple tune that is easy to remember. But like many of Ireland's works, the way the notes are put together (the "harmonic structure") is quite complex.

Muriel Searle, who wrote about Ireland's life, said, "Simple to the point of austerity, The Holy Boy remains one of the public's favourite Ireland works." This means it's very simple but still loved by many. Andrew Burn, another writer, said it has a "wistful melody and subtle shifts of harmony." This means the tune sounds a bit sad or thoughtful, and the way the chords change is gentle and clever.

Different Ways to Play "The Holy Boy"

John Ireland himself made many different versions of "The Holy Boy." Other musicians also created their own arrangements. Here are some of the ways you can hear this music:

• 1913: For a single piano. This was the first version.
• 1919: For the organ. This was arranged by Alec Rowley, a friend of Ireland's. He called it "A Carol of the Nativity" to help churches use it.
• 1919: For violin and piano.
• 1919: For cello and piano.
• 1925: For viola. This was arranged by a famous viola player named Lionel Tertis.
• 1938: For a singer and piano. Words were added by Herbert S. Brown, who was Ireland's family lawyer. The words start: "Lowly, laid in a manger/With oxen brooding nigh."
• 1941: For a string orchestra (a group of violins, violas, cellos, and basses).
• 1941: For a string quartet (two violins, one viola, and one cello).
• 1941: For a choir without instruments (called "unaccompanied mixed chorus"). It used the words by Herbert S. Brown for the BBC Singers.
• 1950: For a brass ensemble (a group of brass instruments like trumpets and trombones). This was arranged by Robert E. Stepp.
• 1970: For two recorders. This was arranged by G. Russell-Smith.
• 1987: For flute and piano. This was arranged by the famous flute player James Galway.
• 1991: For a brass band. This was arranged by Eric Wilson.
• 1992?: For a solo singer, choir, and orchestra. This was arranged by John Matarazzo for a recording with Julie Andrews.
• 1993: For a solo cello and strings. This was arranged by Christopher Palmer.
• 1993: For a solo singer, choir, and string orchestra. Also arranged by Christopher Palmer.