THE COVENTRY CAROL

Trinity Episcopal Church Midtown Houston Stained Glass Window

​THE COVENTRY CAROL
 
 
One of the most beautiful and poignant English Christmas carols sung over Christmastide is the “Coventry Carol.” Traditionally performed in Coventry, England, as part of the medieval Coventry Mystery Plays from the 16th century. “Coventry Carol” depicts the Massacre of the Innocents (Matthew 2:16-18). The carol was first performed in The Pageant of the Shearmen and Tailors and is the only carol to survive that historical time. These are the modern verses from the Episcopal Church Hymnal (Hymn 247). On the Christian liturgical calendar, the carol is associated with the Feast of the Innocents, which occurs on the Fourth Day of Christmas.
 
Burden or Refrain:
 
Lully, lullay, thou little tiny child,
bye-bye, lully lullay.
 
1. O sisters, too, 
how may we do
for to preserve this day
this poor youngling 
for whom we sing,
bye-bye 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 every morn and day,
for thy parting 
nor say nor sing
bye-bye, lully lullay. [Burden]
 
Lully, lullay, thou little tiny child,
bye-bye, lully lullay.
 
First recorded in the Gospel of Matthew (2:16-18), the biblical story covers the time after the birth of Jesus when King Herod ordered the slaying of all male children under the age of two in Bethlehem. Today the story is considered only a legend by many biblical scholars. It is believed to be folklore inspired by Herod’s cruel and violent reputation. 

Modern scholars tell us Matthew’s account of slaying the newborn Jesus, whom Herod saw as a threat to his rule, was most likely modeled after the story of Moses and Pharaoh from the Book of Exodus. Flavius Josephus, the first-century Roman-Jewish historian, does not record the slaughter of the innocents in Bethlehem. There are no other historical accounts.

As an allegory, the story reminds us of how children may needlessly suffer from the politics of falsehoods, fear, enmity, and war. The carol is often associated with the 16th-century religious wars of the Reformation and the death of millions. After Coventry was bombed in WWII,  it was brought to a broader audience when it was featured in the BBC's Empire Broadcast at Christmas 1940. The broadcast concluded with the singing of the carol in the bombed-out ruins of the Cathedral. 

The carol itself is a lament written in the voice of the mothers of Bethlehem, mourning the loss of their innocent children. The lyrics are full of sorrow and grief as the mothers plead with their children to "lullay, lullay, thou little tiny child" and ask God to have mercy on their souls. One thing is for certain at any time; it is a heartbreaking story.
 
As a present-day allegory, the terrible, tragic irony of singing this beautiful carol at Christmastide while families and their children gather at our southern border in pain and misery must not be ignored. Their suffering must not be overlooked. Such heartache in our own time must be seen when considering the story of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, fleeing as refugees to Egypt, seeking safety and asylum from Herod’s violence.
 
Still, we must remember that “Coventry Carol” offers hope and redemption amid great suffering and loss. God's love and grace are present. God provides comfort and healing to all grieving people. God’s expectation is for us to do the same. God's love brings hope and healing to even the darkest times and circumstances. 
 
The promise of Baby Jesus is made to all humanity. We must not deny His promise to anyone. This, too, must be part of our celebration. Christians observing the Christmas season must hope and pray to find the inner strength, compassion, comfort, and peace given by Christ to make the Reign of God — actualized for all humankind, with no exclusions. Amen.
 


 
1. Facts for Kids: https://kids.kiddle.co/Coventry_Carol
2. Religious Wars Spawned by the Reformation: https://classroom.ricksteves.com/videos/the-religious-wars-spawned-by-the-reformation

Ron Starbuck
Publisher – CEO
Saint Julian Press, Inc.