He Had Not Where to Lay His Head

An easy/moderate unaccompanied piece for SATB (no div.) that is particularly suitable for Christmas and Easter.

First performed at Lichfield Cathedral, Christmas 2023, dir. Ben Lamb.

Score available to view and buy at https://www.encorepublications.com/publications.shtml#willis_a

A gentle, lullaby like carol for SATB mixed choir setting the poem of the same name by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper (1825-1911).

The poem is based on a passage from Matthew 8:20, opening with the words:

'The conies had their hiding place,

the fox with stealthy tread a covert found,

but Christ, the Lord, had not a place to lay his head.'

Alison is passionate about forgotten voices, particularly those of women. Frances Ellen Watkins Harper was one of the first African-American women to be published in the United States, also an abolitionist, suffragist, teacher and public speaker.

For more information about Alison please visit www.alisonwillis.com