The Riding Of The Kings: SAB Choral Octavo

Lawson's setting captures the narrative magic of Farjeon's text without overcomplicating the vocal lines. Three-part mixed voicing gives you flexible casting options, while the Christmas context makes it ideal for winter programming that moves beyond familiar carols.

A journey unfolding in song. Lawson's music captures the mystery and motion of Farjeon's poem, creating an atmosphere that feels both timeless and evocative.

Intermediate to advanced SAB choirs looking for concert repertoire with literary substance. Works well for choirs with mixed voice availability who want something more adventurous than standard holiday fare.

• Balance the storytelling across all three parts; this is a narrative song, so clarity of text matters as much as blend.
• Attend to the rhythmic character of the riding itself. Let the accompaniment establish momentum without rushing the singers.
• Shape phrases around Farjeon's poetic images rather than bar lines. This keeps the music feeling like speech-song rather than rigid.

Use this as a centerpiece in a Christmas concert that explores less conventional holiday texts, or pair it with other art song settings to build a concert around poetry and storytelling. It also works as a bridge between classical and contemporary holiday programming.

• Legit phrasing in three-part writing
• Text painting and narrative clarity in ensemble singing
• Sustaining musical line through longer poetic structures
• Blend and balance in mixed voicing across independent melodic lines