Episode #2.12 - Lully, Lulla

Episode #2.12 - Lully, Lulla

From Folk Files by Olivia Harding

December 18, 2025 · 25 min · Season 2 · Episode 12

About this episode

This episode explores the history and significance of the Coventry Carol, a Christmas lullaby with unexpected origins.

Happy Holidays! Coventry Carol is a lullaby to a "little tiny child"...but surprisingly, that child is not Jesus. Learn more about this Christmas carol that was almost lost to time, including the history of modern Western Theatre and the origins of the picardy third, in this final episode of the second season of Folk Files. Host: Olivia Harding Support Folk Files: https://www.patreon.com/c/FolkFilesPodcast Special thanks to Aaron J. Morton Musical excerpts: ARTIST: The Sixteen WORK: The Coventry Carol SOURCE: https://youtu.be/_jIYyPOoEc8?si=mgPi4WH4G9LUnMT7 ARTIST: Sting (from A Winter's Night Live from Durham Cathedral) WORK: Coventry Carol SOURCE: https://youtu.be/hahwYqQd_gA?si=wJR4Qz-ZmUW9IaD2 ARTIST: Nora Fischer and Marnix Dorrestein WORK: Oblivion Soave from Monteverdi's L'Incoronazione di Poppea SOURCE: https://youtu.be/JTHQqJDV4os?si=820upsG60MJJyC5M ARTIST: Jeanette Blakeley WORK: "Lullaby" from Menotti's The Consul SOURCE: https://youtu.be/nImWN8o1f-E?si=Coj_UsTcod6m1Bbr ARTIST: Barry and Beth Hall WORK: Coventry Carol SOURCE: https://youtu.be/JCFg4S3kSV4?si=CleozvHduvVsAAxB ARTIST: Chicago WORK: Wishing You Were Here SOURCE…

People in this episode

Host: Olivia Harding

Topics covered

  • Christmas carols
  • history of Western Theatre
  • Coventry Carol
  • music analysis
  • holiday traditions

Keywords

  • Coventry Carol
  • Christmas music
  • Western Theatre
  • picardy third
  • holiday music

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Coventry Carol, Oblivion Soave, Lullaby, Wishing You Were Here, Time of the Season, The Coventry Carol, Song of the Nuns of Chester

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