“Coventry (Song of My People)”

My mother's ancestors came from Coventry. In the early 16th century, they started singing this song every summer as part of an annual Feast Day play honoring the murder of boys by Herrod during the earliest years of Christ's life.

As a child, I was taught this song was how our ancestors coped with the Black Plague, and other deaths of children. Five hundred years ago, my people sang this song as they pondered the loss of their own children.

The words are my ancestors', as is the original tune. The setting and performance are my own, a song of my people, to speak for the children dying today.

“I Dream of a Church” Music and Lyrics by Mark A. Miller

Special thanks to Mark A. Miller for permission to post this rendition of this vital song. The music and other works by Mark A. Miller can be found here.