The suite is dedicated 'To my parents' and consists of three carols: 'The First Tree in the Greenwood', 'The Bells of Paradise' and 'Sir Christèmas'. The musical score is for Mixed Voices and Strings or Piano and is dated Christmas 1956.

The suite was published by Oxford University Press in 1958 and originally sold for 3s. 6d net (about 17p in decimal currency.)

The first performance of this work was given by the Goldsmiths' Choir and String Orchestra at Goldsmiths' College, London on the 3rd February 1958.

A more recent performance was given by the Hounslow Choral Society on Saturday, 17th December 1977 at Isleworth Grammar School with The Southern Sinfonietta under the baton of Paul Bowen. The programme notes state, "...it has been much performed, particularly in the United States, where its combination of traditional melody and unconventional harmony together with sparkling string writing have captured the imagination."

Front Cover of the published score

Date of the published score

We only have two copies of the published musical score and a single copy of the programme for the December 1977 performance.

We know of no recording of the suite.