Troublesome Carol

Music by Ron Klusmeier
Words by Shirley Erena Murray
Tune Name: MT•NELESEN

Lyrics as Poetry

The Christmas Child is a troublesome child,
as troublesome as the Word
that stirred the waters from the deep
and let God’s voice be heard.
The Christmas Child is a spirited child
who questions given rule,
who flouts convention’s pious face,
who laughs and plays the fool.The Christmas Child is a generous child,
extravagant in excess,
who spends the coin of life and hope
to recreate and bless.
The Christmas Child is a dangerous child
when to a prophet grown,
whose vision takes a thorny path,
whose cross may be our own.The Christmas Child is a troublesome child,
as troublesome as the Word
that stirred the waters from the deep
and let God’s voice be heard.
The Christmas Child is a luminous child
whose peace the angels sing,
whose star no darkness overcomes,
whose life lights everything.

Words by
Shirley Erena MurrayCopyright © 2011 by Hope Publishing Company
Carol Stream, Illinois • USA


Audio Sample

TROUBLESOME CAROL
One Verse
(includes 8-bar Introduction
and 3rd Verse Ending)
played on piano by Ron Klusmeier

Season, Theme
or Subject

  • Christmas
  • Jesus∶ birth
  • Jesus∶ rebel

Presentation Suggestions

Not yet available for this title. Contact us if you are a subscriber (or purchaser of this title) and need this item.

Projection Images

This feature is only accessible to Subscribers or those who have purchased this Single Title.

Projection Images are available in three different versions:

  • Apple Keynote
  • MS PowerPoint
  • ZIP (JPEGS) which may be incorporated into any projection software program.

Projection Images are available in two aspect ratios:

  • Standard (4:3)
  • Widescreen (16:9)

Varying by title, slides may be available as:

  • Words only
  • Words and images
  • Words and melody line

Use the link below for instructions on how to use the Projection Images in Powerpoint and Keynote.

Learn more

Projection Images
Available for This Title

16:9 Words Only
  • Apple Keynote
  • MS PowerPoint
  • ZIP File (JPEGs)
16:9 Words With Music
16:9 Words With Images
  • Apple Keynote
  • MS PowerPoint
  • ZIP File (JPEGs)
4:3 Words Only
  • Apple Keynote
  • MS PowerPoint
  • ZIP File (JPEGs)
4:3 Words With Music
4:3 Words With Images
  • Apple Keynote
  • MS PowerPoint
  • ZIP File (JPEGs)

Accompaniment Recordings

Not yet available for this title. Contact us if you are a subscriber (or purchaser of this title) and need this item.

  • Subscribe To All Titles

    unlimited annual access to everything on this site

  • Purchase This Title

    unlimited access to all versions of this title

  • unlimited access to an individual version of this title

Purchasers and Subscribers
Click links below to download your versions.

Versions Available for This Title

Contact us if you need a version you don’t see here.

Melody Line Versions (including transposing instruments)

  • Melody Line: 'C' Instrument or Vocal
  • Melody Line: 'C' Instrument 8va
  • Melody Line: Bass Clef 'C' Instrument
  • Melody Line: Alto Clef Instrument
  • Melody Line: ‘Bb’ Instrument
  • Melody Line: ‘Eb’ Instrument
  • Melody Line: ‘F’ Instrument (high)
  • Melody Line: ‘F’ Instrument (low)

Hymn-style Vocal Harmonizations

  • Hymn-style: SATB voices
  • Hymn-style: SAB voices

Piano Versions

  • Piano: Hymn-style
  • Easy Piano: Hymn-style

Guitar Chords & Bass Progressions

  • Guitar & Bass: Full chords in keyboard key
  • Guitar: Transposed capo chords
  • Easy Guitar: Basic chords