Coventry Carol
Choir and Orchestra Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Lullay, Thou little tiny Child,
By, by, lully, lullay.
Lullay, Thou little tiny Child,
By, by, lully, lullay.

O sisters too, how may we do,
For to preserve this day.
This poor youngling for whom we sing

By, by, 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.

That woe is me, poor Child for Thee!
And ever morn and day,

For thy parting neither say nor sing,
By, by, lully, lullay.

Overall Meaning

The Coventry Carol is a Christmas carol that is based on the story of the Massacre of the Innocents, which is found in the New Testament. The song is believed to have originated in the 16th century. The lyrics are heart wrenching and tell the story of a mother singing a lullaby to her infant son as she foresees his death. The first verse of the carol is an address to the Christ child, whom the mother lovingly calls a "little tiny child". She sings him a beautiful lullaby and bids him good night.

The second verse is a plea from the mother to the other women around her to come together and find a way to protect the child who is in danger from King Herod. The third verse recounts the story of King Herod's men killing all of the infants born in the area around Bethlehem, due to their fear of an impending threat to his reign that was foretold by wise men. The mother beseeches the baby to forgive her for not being able to protect him as he prepares to leave her.

This carol is not only a beautiful piece of music but also a powerful reminder of the tragedy of human injustice and cruelty. It serves as a poignant reminder of the love and sacrifice that are at the heart of the Christmas story.

Line by Line Meaning

Lullay, Thou little tiny Child,
Oh, little tiny child, sleep well.

By, by, lully, lullay.
Fall asleep, peacefully.

O sisters too, how may we do,
What can we do, sisters?

For to preserve this day.
To keep this day special.

This poor youngling for whom we sing
We sing for this poor, young child.

By, by, lully, lullay.
Fall asleep, peacefully.

Herod the king, in his raging,
The raging King Herod,

Charged he hath this day.
Ordered on this very day.

His men of might, in his own sight,
All the powerful men around him,

All young children to slay.
Were ordered to kill all the young children.

That woe is me, poor Child for Thee!
I mourn for you, poor child!