Holy Boy

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Holy Boy is the name of a Christmas Oratorio written by David Palmer. The piece follows the history of Christianity from the Israelite King David up until the prophecies of Isaiah and the Jews waiting for the arrival of the Messiah. From that point, it then changes time period to the late 1st Century BC or early 1st Century AD It was first performed in 1977.

For more info try David's website http://www.david-palmer.co.uk

Contents

[edit] List of Numbers

[edit] Act One

Act One briefly describes the pre-Christ history of the Jewish nation and faith.

  • 1 Shepherd, Lonely Shepherd
  • 2 So the Bible Says (part 1)
  • 3 The King of Israel (recitative)
  • 4 Go to Bethlehem
  • 5 So David was Anointed
  • 6 Song of the Kings Part 1 (recit.)
  • 7 The Lord is my Shepherd
  • 8 So David freed the King from his rage (recit.)
  • 9 Song of the Kings Part 2 (recit.)
  • 10 So the Bible Says (part 3)
  • 11 He Could Tell
  • 12 Immanuel (part 1)
  • 13 Ever Bowing, Ever Scraping
  • 14 Immanuel (part 2)

[edit] Act Two

Act Two follows the life of Jesus, his earthly parents and those who met them, until the Flight to Egypt.

  • 14a Prelude to Act Two
  • 15 In a Town Called Nazareth
  • 16 Hail Mary
  • 17 The Son of God
  • 18 How Can it Be? (part 1)
  • 19 Order from Rome
  • 20 So the Bible Says (part 3)
  • 21 Bethlehem is a Long Way
  • 22 Shelter me Friend
  • 23 In the Darkness
  • 24 Sleep, Peacefully Sleep
  • 25 Shepherds' Dance (instrumental)
  • 26 Shepherds, Lonely Shepherds
  • 27 Surely Angels must know
  • 28 Far Away, from Eastern Lands
  • 29 Holy Child
  • 30 Holy Child/In the Darkness/Now we see the Shepherds
  • 31 Song of the Kings Part 3 (recit.)
  • 32 Slaughter of the Innocents (instr.[1])
  • 33 Now the Baby Boys are Slaughtered (recit.)
  • 34 How Can it Be? (part 2)
  • 35 We Will Return
  • 36 Holy Boy

[edit] Related

There is a companion David Palmer Oratorio, Holy Man, which picks up the story later in Jesus' life.
David Palmer, the composer of Holy Boy.

[edit] Notes & References

  1. ^ There is extensive use of non-verbal vocal effects in this number


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