There are specific markings for changes in tempo. The most common ones are listed here. Notice the use of the rit marking near the end of the following song.
| accelerando (gradually becoming faster) | rallentando or ritardando | (gradually becoming slower) |
| ritenuto (rit) (immediately slower) | a tempo | (return to the original tempo) |
The melody of this traditional Christmas song is derived from the natural minor scale. Because of this, it is said to be in a minor key. It is written here in the key of A minor.