University of York Music Press

"The piece combines the melody from a beautiful Afghan lullaby, Allah hu ('This is God') with the bells of Christmas (Robin was born on 29 December). John and Veronica are celebrated performers and writers who have spent much of their lives promoting the music of Afghanistan. Here, I have transcribed Veronica’s lovely rendition of ‘Allah hu’ incorporating the subtle portamentos which are so much part of the vocal style of Afghan singers. At times, the two musical traditions seem to drift apart, the double bass line becoming unsynchronised with the pulse of the piano but towards the end, the two musics come together in a joyous caroling of bells and choirs."

The lullaby’s anonymous text reads:

‘I say to God, may my child sleep happily and peacefully. I say to God, flower of the cherry, apple and apricot trees, the tree of my work has washed away. My child has fallen asleep.’