Coventry Carol
Lament for a Fragile Innocence: Coventry Carol Insights
Lyrics
Lully, lullay, thou little tiny child,
Addressing the tiny child with a soothing lullaby-like sound.
Bye bye, lully, lullay.
A repetition of the comforting sounds used to lull the child to sleep.
Thou little tiny child,
Referring again to the small, delicate child.
Bye bye, lully, lullay.
Repeating the soothing sounds to comfort the child.
O sisters too, how may we do
Expressing concern among sisters about how to protect the child on this day.
For to preserve this day
Asking how to ensure the survival of the child on this specific day.
This poor youngling for whom we sing,
Pitying and singing for this poor, innocent child.
“Bye bye, lully, lullay?”
Repeating the comforting sounds while questioning how to protect the child.
Herod the king, in his raging,
Describing King Herod's furious state.
Chargèd he hath this day
Stating that Herod ordered a charge against something or someone on this day.
His men of might in his own sight
Highlighting how Herod commanded his powerful men to slay all young children in his presence.
All young children to slay.
Detailing Herod's cruel decree to kill all young children.
Lully, lullay, thou little tiny child,
Returning to the lullaby-like sounds to console the tiny child.
Bye bye, lully, lullay.
Repeating the comforting sounds to lull the child.
Thou little tiny child,
Referencing the delicate child again.
Bye bye, lully, lullay.
Repeating the soothing sounds used to calm the child.
That woe is me, poor child, for thee
Expressing sorrow for the unfortunate fate of the child.
And ever mourn and may
Continuing to mourn and lament the fate of the child.
For thy parting neither say nor sing,
Declaring an inability to bid farewell or sing comforting lullabies due to the sorrowful parting.
“Bye bye, lully, lullay.”
Repeating the comforting sounds while acknowledging the inability to say goodbye or sing lullabies due to the intense sorrow.
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