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.
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)
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.)
33 Now the Baby Boys are Slaughtered (recit.)
34 How Can it Be? (part 2)
35 We Will Return
36 Holy Boy
