Holy child, how still you lie

Holy child, how still you lie. Timothy Dudley-Smith* (1926-2024). This carol-like text, often partnered by Michael Baughen*’s tune HOLY CHILD, has proved the most popular of the author’s ‘Christmas card’ verses (see the note to ‘Child of the stable’s secret birth’*). It was one of the earliest (1966) and remains one of his own favourites. It followed the birth of James, youngest of the three Dudley-Smith children, and in 1969 appeared in print in the church magazine inset News Extra (words only) and in Youth Praise 1 (with the Baughen tune). The composer was then Rector of Holy Trinity, Platt, Manchester, and the carol was sung there at the first BBC ‘Songs of Praise’ broadcast to feature...

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