Lyr Req: Innocent's Song (Charles Causley) Xmas

Subject: haunting christmas song
From: CharlieA
Date: 20 Nov 01 - 05:59 AM

I can't remember it's name ands think i have left the tape in Cornwall with my folks (i'm in cov). Its done by a westcountry band (the tape name could even be a westcountry Christmas) and the lines i can remember are:

Watch, when he comes a calling Out on the Christmas morn dancing, double talking Oh Herod is his name.

It also uses the description "his hair as white as gin"

Anyone able to give me the details?

Cxxx

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: haunting christmas song
From: CharlieA
Date: 20 Nov 01 - 06:00 AM

ok just remembered - the singer is Johnny Coppin Cxxx

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: haunting christmas song
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Nov 01 - 08:39 AM

Well, there's the Johnny Coppin Website. Looking at his discography, I'd guess that the song comes from "A Country Christmas (1995"

No lyrics on his site, still searching some other places.

I have to say that calling himself "Britain's premier solo folk act" is enormously bigheaded.

Even Martin Carthy wouldn't describe himself like that (and he'd have a right to...)

Subject: Lyr Add: INNOCENT'S SONG (Charles Causley)
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 20 Nov 01 - 08:47 AM

INNOCENT'S SONG
(© Charles Causley)

Who's that knocking on the window,
Who's that standing at the door,
What are all those presents
Laying on the kitchen floor?

Who is the smiling stranger
With hair as white as gin,
What is he doing with the children
And who could have let him in?

Why has he rubies on his fingers,
A cold, cold crown on his head,
Why, when he caws his carol,
Does the salty snow run red?

Why does he ferry my fireside
As a spider on a thread,
His fingers made of fuses
And his tongue of gingerbread?

Why does the world before him
Melt in a million suns,
Why do his yellow, yearning eyes
Burn like saffron buns?

Watch where he comes walking
Out of the Christmas flame,
Dancing, double-talking:

Herod is his name.


Charles Causley's poems have often been set to music, not invariably with great good taste or with his consent, though I believe that Johnny Coppin is an honourable exception.  They are much-anthologised, and often used as set texts for school exams.

Coppin's setting has appeared on his recordings Songs and Carols for a West Country Christmas (Red Sky RSKCD111, 1990) and A Journey (Red Sky CD - RSCD116, 2000).

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: haunting christmas song
From: MMario
Date: 20 Nov 01 - 09:24 AM

The Feast of the Holy Innocents is either Dec 28th or January 11th. (Varies)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: haunting christmas song
From: Anglo
Date: 20 Nov 01 - 10:58 AM

Keith Kendrick and Lynne Heraud did a setting of this poem on their recent CD "Stars In My Crown" with the title of "Herod." A recent thread had much good to say about their performances.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: haunting christmas song
From: GUEST,Yatesy
Date: 27 May 07 - 12:41 PM

Show of hands have done a great version of this on their 'Witness' album. They also played it live at the Albert Hall 2007.