This edition was prepared by Geoff Allan — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Carol of the Bees
Staff Notation • Sacred, Christmas
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Carol of the Bees by Geoff Allan — Lyrics
Carol of the Bees
Author : Carol Ann Duffy
Silently on Christmas Eve,
the turn of midnight's key;
all the garden locked in ice
a silver frieze
except the winter cluster of the bees.
Flightless now and shivering,
around their Queen they cling;
every bee a gift of heat;
she will not freeze
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About Carol of the Bees
Geoff Allan's Carol of the Bees sets a contemplative Christmas text by Carol Ann Duffy. The poem draws a parallel between the clustered, shivering bees in their hive on a cold Christmas Eve and the Nativity scene. The SATB choir sings in English, exploring the theme of warmth and life persisting even in the deepest frost. The music reflects the quiet wonder and the unexpected sweetness found in this image of nature's resilience, culminating in a plea to bless the enduring cluster. It is a sacred piece for Christmas, offering a unique perspective on the season's themes.
