The 23rd Day of Advent

Coventry Carol (alternate version) (arr. Mark Hayes)

This English lullaby carol was performed in a play set with the backdrop of Jesus being born in a time when King Herod was killing all males children under two years old. Three mothers sang this song to Jesus, knowing that they must preserve Him for in Him was the peace for which the world had been hoping and waiting.

Lully, lullay, 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 sing,
“Bye bye, lully, lullay?”


Herod the king, in his raging,
Chargèd 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 may
For thy parting neither say nor sing,
“Bye bye, lully, lullay.”


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