String Quartet Cello,String Quartet,Viola,Violin - Level 2 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1498820 Composed by Traditional. Arranged by James M. Guthrie. Chamber,Christian,Christmas,Historic,Traditional. 12 pages. Jmsgu3 #1074992. Published by jmsgu3 (A0.1498820). Infant Holy, Infant Lowly is an important Christmas carol with several notable aspects: Origins and History.This carol originated as a Polish Christmas hymn from the 16th century called W ??obie Le?y. It is believed to have been written by Piotr Pow?ski, a Polish Jesuit priest and preacher born in 1532. Edith Margaret Gellibrand Reed, who discovered it in a Polish hymnal published in 1908, later translated it into English in 1920.Musical CharacteristicsThe carol exemplifies some typical features of Polish religious songs: Strophic formMonophonic melodyAsymmetrical time signaturesAmbiguous modality that shifts between major, minor, and modal qualitiesThese musical elements give the carol a distinctive Polish flavor while still accessible to English-speaking audiences. Lyrical ContentThe lyrics poetically describe the nativity scene, contrasting Christ's humble birth circumstances with his divine nature: First Verse:Infant holy, infant lowly, for his bed a cattle stall;Oxen lowing, little knowing Christ the babe is Lord of all.This verse emphasizes the paradox of the incarnation - the Lord of all creation born in a lowly stable.Cultural SignificanceAs one of the few Polish carols widely known in English, Infant Holy, Infant Lowly is an essential cultural bridge. It introduces English-speaking audiences to the rich tradition of Polish Christmas music, known as kol?dy. The carol's popularity helps preserve and share an aspect of Polish Christmas traditions internationally. In summary, Infant Holy, Infant Lowly is important for its historical origins, distinctive musical qualities, poetic lyrics, and role in sharing Polish Christmas culture with a broader audience.
