Description

O Leave Your Sheep is an old French carol sometimes called Quittez, Pasteurs. The carol text reflects the shepherds’ visitation by the angels as told in Luke 2:8-16, and the mostly-malleted bass line illustrates the urgency expressed in the lyrics, “O leave your sheep… your flocks…your village,” to “hasten to adore.” Layers of texture and dynamics are reminiscent of Ravel’s Bolero. If desired, two instruments may substitute for some of the handbell/handchime doubling, making the piece more accessible for ringers.