The Cyber Hymnal ‎#1077

1077. Coventry Carol

Refrain:
Lully, lullay, Thou little tiny Child,
By, by, lully, lullay.

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

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

3. That woe is me, poor Child for Thee!
And ever morn and day
For Thy parting neither say nor sing,
By, by, lully, lullay.

4. Lully, lullay, Thou little tiny Child,
By, by, lully, lullay.

Text Information

• First Line: O sisters too, how may we do
• Title: Coventry Carol
• Refrain First Line: Lully, lullay, Thou little tiny Child
• Language: English
• Copyright: Public Domain
• Notes: It is named after the city of Coventry, England, where the 15th Century Pageant of the Shearmen and Tailors depicted Herod's slaughter of the innocents, told in the lyrics.

Tune Information

• Name: [Lully, lullay, Thou little tiny Child]
• Incipit: 66561 77765 67127
• Key: B♭ Major
• Source: Renaissance carol
• Copyright: Public Domain