Hark! 2011
December 5
Coventry Carol
Performed by Emilie Heidel (voice in three parts)
Words: Pageant of the Shearmen and Tailors, 15th century
Music: English melody, 1591
Today's song, the Coventry Carol as sung by Emilie Heidel, is one of the oldest English carols. It is one of the more distressing carols, telling the story of the Holy Innocents, the children King Herod killed while trying to find and slay Jesus as a young child. This song comes from the 15th century Pageant of the Shearmen and Tailors, a medieval mystery play. The tune, from 1591, is much newer than the text. This is an SAA version of the original 1591 STB arrangement. All parts were sung by Emilie.
Lyrics
Lully, lulla, thou little tiny child,
Bye, bye, lully, lullay
Thou little tiny child,
Bye, bye, lully, lullay.
O, sisters too, how may we do
For to preserve this day?
This poor youngling, for whom we do sing,
Bye, bye, lully, lullay?
Lully, lulla, thou little tiny child,
Bye, bye, lully, lullay
Thou little tiny child,
Bye, bye, lully, lullay.
Herod the King, in his raging,
Charged he hath this day
His men of might, in his own sight
All young children to slay.
Lully, lulla, thou little tiny child,
Bye, bye, lully, lullay
Thou little tiny child,
Bye, bye, lully, lullay.
That woe is me, poor child for thee,
And ever morn and day,
For thy parting, neither say nor sing,
Bye, bye, lully, lullay!
Lully, lulla, thou little tiny child,
Bye, bye, lully, lullay
Thou little tiny child,
Bye, bye, lully, lullay.
Sources and more information
- Oxford Book of Carols, 1964.
- Hymns and Carols of Christmas
- Hymns and Carols of Christmas - Notes