Boar's Head Carol
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Jump to navigationJump to searchThe boar’s head in hand bring I,
Bedeck'd with bays and rosemary.
I pray you, my masters, be merry[1]
Quot estis in convivio[2]
Caput apri defero
Reddens laudes Domino[3]
The boar's head, as I understand,
Is the rarest dish in all this land,
Which thus bedeck'd with a gay garland
Let us servire cantico.[4]
Caput apri defero
Reddens laudes Domino
Our steward hath provided this
In honor of the King of Bliss;
Which, on this day to be served is
In Reginensi atrio.[5]
Caput apri defero
Reddens laudes Domino
Boar's Head Carol is a traditional English Christmas carol, first published in 1521 by Wynken de Worde in Christmasse Carolles.
Notes
- ↑ Or: And I pray you, my masters, merry be.
- ↑ Translation: As you all feast so heartily.
- ↑ Translation of Chorus:
Lo, behold the head I bring
Giving praise to God we sing
Alternate translation:
The boar’s head I bring,
Giving praises to the Lord. - ↑ Translation: Let us serve with a song.
- ↑ Translation: In the Queen's hall.