Text and music Rutter, who composed many works to celebrate Christmas, wrote his own text for Christmas Lullaby, beginning 'Clear in the darkness a light shines in Bethlehem'. It was also sung by the chamber choir Polyphony with the, conducted. Christmas Lullaby was recorded several times, notably with the composer conducting the on an album The John Rutter Christmas Album. It became part of the John Rutter Anniversary Edition. It was published in a German edition, Weihnachts-Wiegenlied, with a text translated by Alex Brendelmeier, by in 1998. It was first performed at the choir's Christmas concert at the in London, an event that Rutter knew from being a member of the audience as a boy. He composed it on a 1989 commission from for the celebration of the 70th birthday of their conductor. Rutter scored the piece for four vocal parts () and piano, adding other versions. He wrote his own text, beginning ' Clear in the darkness', three stanzas with the refrain '. Maria mit dem Kinde, by Dagmar Anders, 1990 Dedication Published 1990 ( 1990) Scoring choir and piano or organ or small orchestra Christmas Lullaby is a popular sacred choral composition by, a lullaby for Christmas. 'Ave Maria, ave Maria, Maiden, and mother of Jesus our King'. 'Ave Maria, ave Maria': Hear the soft lullaby the angel hosts sing. Praise to the Christ child, and praise to his mother Who bore us a Saviour by grace from above. What though your treasures are not gold or incense? Lay them before him with hearts full of love. Where are his courtiers, and who are his people? Why does he bear neither sceptre nor crown? Shepherds his courtiers, the poor for his people, With peace as his sceptre and love for his crown. Ave Maria Look inside(2) Look inside(2).īut only a mother and baby lie there. Ave Maria sheet music - SATB choir and piano/chamber orchestra sheet music by John Rutter: Oxford University Press. Forces or Category: SATB & chamber orchestra.