Jesus, Jesus Rest Your Head

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Jesus, Jesus Rest Your Head

Traditional

“Jesus, Jesus Rest Your Head” is a gorgeous and underappreciated traditional Appalachian Christmas Carol. The openness of the Appalachian harmonic tradition and the tunefully melodies of the American folk tradition lend themselves so beautifully to choral singing. When I arranged this piece for choir, I attempted to capture the mystery and uncertainty of that first Christmas, along with the joy and majesty, while showcasing the true beauty of this lovely carol.

Jesus, Jesus, rest your head.
You have got a manger bed.
All the evil folk on earth
Sleep in feathers at their birth.
Jesus, Jesus, rest your head.
You have got a manger bed.

Have you heard about our Jesus?
Have you heard about his fate?
How his mother came to the stable
On that Christmas Eve so late?
Winds were blowing, cows were lowing,
Stars were glowing, glowing, glowing.

To the manger came the Wise Men.
Bringing gifts so rich and rare
To the father and the mother,
And the blessed infant there.
Shepherds left their fields and flocks
And sat beside the ass and ox.

Jesus, Jesus, rest your head.
You have got a manger bed.
All the evil folk on earth
Sleep in feathers at their birth.
Jesus, Jesus, rest your head.
You have got a manger bed.