The Coventry Carol

Traditional carol of uncertain origin, the words of which are sometimes attributed to Robert Croo in 1534.

This carol is not technically a "Christmas carol" as it does not refer directly to the birth of Christ. The song, which originated in Coventry, England, was performed as part of a medieval pageant in England. Martha Rice, a medieval age aficionado, mentions that the song "is one of the earliest extant polyphonic carols."

The words to the one version of the song are shared below, as well as information about interpreting their meaning.

The Coventry Carol

sung and played by Patricia Cummings

Refrain: Lully lullay, thou little tiny child
By by, lully lullay
Lullay, Thou little tiny child
By by, lully lullay.

O sisters too, how may we do
For to preserve this day?
This poor Youngling for whom we do sing,
By by, lully lullay.

Herod the King, in his raging,
Charg-ed he hath this day
His men of might, in his own sight,
All children young to slay.

Then woe is me, poor child, for thee,
And ever mourn and say,
For thy parting, neither say nor sing,
By by, lully lullay

The oft repeated, "Lully, Lullay," seems to have no clear translation, but may derive from a number of European languages that have related verbs or nouns. The New Oxford American Dictionary defines only one "Lully" - and its description is that of a French composer who was born a century after this song was written. "Lullay" has no entry in that dictionary.

One online source quotes Bill Drennon as saying that he thinks that the words, "Lully, lullay," may have meant, "We saw, we saw," a colloquial use, at the time. See: http://www.cvc.org/christmas/coventry.htm There is also a midi version of the song available at that site:
http://www.cvc.org/christmas/lulay.mid

"Thou little tiny child" apparently refers to Christ. The tip off is the word, "Thou," which is usually reserved for a diety.

"How may we do, for to preserve this day?" might have been better worded, "What may we do to preserve this day?" The "day" could have meant Christmas Day, or may also have referred to December 28, a memorial day of the Holy Innocents.

"This poor youngling for whom we do sing," is a way to make the word, "youngster," (youngling), effectively rhyme with "sing," Perhaps the word "youngling" was a commonly used word, at the time.

"Herod the King, in his raging, charg-ed he hath this day" refers to Herod's decree (that all the male children, age two or under, be slain).

The final verse is a lament for the child (children?) slain. "For thy parting, neither say, (in another version, the word "nor" is used), nor sing" - may mean that even though the babies were killed, no one would say much, nor sing of the incident. It is (was) an unspeakable tragedy.

This song appears to have been written as a kind a lullaby and its melodic tones are soft and soothing. Although powerful meaning is contained in the words concerning Herod's act, the sound of the song has a certain peacefulness.

At any rate, the tune and the verses, as they stand, have withstood the test of time, making this one of the oldest carols.

12/13/06 A site that I discovered provides two different sets of lyrics:

http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Hymns_and_Carols/coventry_carol-1.htm

12/14/06 After posting a question on the medieval quilting list about the meaning of the words, "Lully, Lullay," a member shared a link to an amazing amount of information she gathered online about the etymology of the words "lully," and "lullay" in the song. Enjoy her blog entry, here:

http://blog-by-the-sea.typepad.com/blog_bythesea/2005/12/lully_lullay_th.html

Thank you to all who have written to me and who have posted information on online sites. I would especially like to thank members of the medieval quilting list, an online list run by Lisa Evans, and a wonderful resource that has knowledgeable members. ~ Pat

"What Child Is This?" - a Christmas hymn from England

pat@quiltersmuse.com