Pat-a-Pan

This charming a cappella setting of the familiar carol has a bright, rhythmic ostinato pattern that moves between the sections of the choir. The Christmas story is told from the perspective of shepherds playing simple instruments - flutes and drums - the onomatopoetic sound of which gives the carol its name. "Pat-a-pan" is meant to mimic the sound of the drum, and an accompanying lyric, "tu-re-lu-re-lu," the flute.