This work serves as a formal musical arrangement of the traditional spiritual 'Mary Had a Baby' for choral performance. The publication, issued by Oxford University Press, provides a specific harmonic structure for SATB (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass) vocal ensembles. It functions as a practical resource for choirs seeking to perform this classic holiday piece in an unaccompanied setting.

Oxford University Press choral arrangements are widely recognized as standard repertoire for church and academic choirs. Musicians frequently utilize these editions for their clear notation and reliable harmonic structures.