Priscilla Jane remembers this photo SO well. So well, in fact that
she asked the vicar for it to be the photograph for today's carol. This photo
was taken during St. Hilary's Christmas 2006 celebrations before they were given
their brand new nativity set. Priscilla Jane still loves this small
nativity scene ad remembers it fondly.
Priscilla Jane has found this reference about the Coventry Carol, a carol which has really captured her imagination as it depicts the slaughter of the children ordered by Herod when he heard about the birth of Jesus. The carol was written to be performed in Coventry's mystery plays during the 16th century. The vicar is pleased to allow the inclusion of this carol as part of this year's church Advent Calendar after finding out how much Priscilla Jane loves it.
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ullaby,
Thou little tiny Child, By, by, lully, lullay. Lullay, Thou little tiny Child. By, by, lully, lullay. O sisters, too, how may we
do, |
| Herod the King, in his
raging, Charged he hath this day; His men of might, in his own sight, All children young, to slay. |
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| Then woe is me, poor Child,
for Thee, And ever mourn and say; For Thy parting, nor say nor sing, By, by, lully, lullay. |
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"The Coventry Carol's origin is in the medieval Corpus Christi plays. The holy family have escaped to Egypt; the women remaining in Bethlehem sing their infants to sleep ("Lully, lulla, thou little tiny child"), so that the sounds of crying will not alert Herod's soldiers. A vivid example of medieval illumination, imaginatively enhancing the Gospel narrative." - taken from the local Coventry Telegraph newspaper website - link: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/3571004/Top-five-Christmas-carols.htm
Visit http://www.carols.org.uk/ to hear the tune.
