This is a Christmas carol which is often performed as a "different" sounding piece on a festive concert. This is because the harmonies are darker and more mysterious. This setting plays on those principles with open fifths and other rustic harmonies. Dynamics play a big role in this arrangement as echo effects are achieved by the contrasts in volume. The melody is found in the two trumpets throughout with the lower three voices adding a rhythmic pulse and ostinato passages.