Christmas Song Story: Calypso Carol

The Calypso Carol is often known by it’s opening line “See him lying on a bed of straw”.

Some announcers have introduced the song as a traditional folk carol of the West Indies. However, it was written by an Englishman, Michael Perry.

Perry wrote the song in 1964 while a college student for their Christmas concert. The song became famous by accident, when a DJ included the song to replace a missing recording. It gained popularity and was included in a 1969 songbook.

Perry later became a leading contemporary hymn writer in the UK.  However, the Calypso Carol remains his most popular work.