The Coventry Carol dates back to 16th century England.  It was originally part of a play that was performed in Coventry.  The rest of the play has been lost, but this song was so memorable that people kept singing it.

The story behind the song comes from The Gospel of Mathew in the Bible.  It’s the section called The Massacre of the Innocents, where King Herod was told by a magi about the coming of a new king in Bethlehem.  Herod ordered all the male kids under two in Bethlehem to be executed, so he could avoid losing his throne.

This song is about a mother lamenting the coming loss of her baby son.  It takes the form of a haunting lullaby that she is singing to him.

It can also be interpreted that the mother is Mary singing about the baby Jesus.

There are two different tunes used to sing this song.  You can hear each in the mp3’s below followed by the lyrics. 

MP3 of The Coventry Carol

MP3 of The Coventry Carol with A Different Tune

The Coventry Carol

Lully, lullay,
Thou little tiny Child,
Bye, bye, lully, lullay.
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.

Herod the king, in his raging,
Charged he hath this day
His men of might, in his own sight,
All young children to slay.

That woe is me, poor Child, for Thee!
And ever mourn and say,
For thy parting, neither say nor sing,
Bye, bye, lully, lullay.

1st recording by Ruth Golding
2nd recording by Kim Butler

This song was first written down by Robert Croo in 1534.  The author is unknown.  The oldest known printing of the tune dates back to 1591.

I hope everyone has a happy holiday season.

Mama Lisa