From the recording Memories of the Season - Download
6. The Coventry Carol (3:20) (Traditional)
Another tune that started with Ed asking me, “Do you know this one?” I immediately ran to my bookshelf and pulled out my high school Christmas caroling songbook (which begs the question - if I can remember THAT, why can’t I remember what I ate for breakfast?). Originally, I had planned to make this a bonus track - a one-pass recording just like we originally played it that day. The universe and recording don’t always go according to your wishes, so when another song decided it just DID NOT want to be recorded, this track went from bonus to BONUS! Ed’s work on the classical guitar really shines on this song, and Rae (our first time working on a project together) added just enough counterpoint to give it that special haunting feel that always drew me to this song.
Lyrics
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 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.
Oh,woe is me, poor child, for thee
And ever mourn and may
For thy parting nor say nor sing,
"Bye bye, lully, lullay."
Lullay, thou little tiny child,
Bye bye, lully, lullay.
Lullay, thou little tiny child,
Bye bye, lully, lullay.