The Coventry Carol
The Choir of St. Paul's Cathedral Lyrics

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Lully, 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, Chargèd he hath this day;
His men of might, in his own sight, All children young, to slay.
That woe is me, poor child, for thee!And ever morn and may;

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

Overall Meaning

The Coventry Carol is a traditional English carol that was performed by The Choir of St. Paul's Cathedral. The song tells the story of the killing of the innocents by King Herod, who ordered the death of all male infants in Bethlehem in an attempt to kill the baby Jesus. The song is also known as the Lament of the Mothers, which emphasizes the grief felt by the mothers of the infants who were killed during this massacre. The opening line of the song, "Lully, lullay, thou little tiny child," is a lullaby for the baby Jesus.

The second stanza of the song is a conversation between two sisters who are discussing how they can protect the baby Jesus. The sisters are powerless to protect the child and can only sing a lullaby in his honor. The third stanza describes King Herod's fierce anger and determination to destroy the baby Jesus. His soldiers kill all young male children in Bethlehem, causing great anguish for their mothers.

Line by Line Meaning

Lully, lullay, thou little tiny child,
Sleep peacefully, sweet little baby,

By by, lully, lullay.
Farewell, sleep well little one.

O sisters too, how may we do,
Oh, sisters what can we possibly do,

For to preserve this day?
To keep this day safe and sound?

This poor youngling for whom we sing
The poor little baby we sing for

By by, lully, lullay.
Farewell, sleep well little one.

Herod the King, in his raging,
A furious King Herod

Chargèd he hath this day;
Gave orders for this day

His men of might, in his own sight,
His powerful men, right before him,

All children young, to slay.
To kill all the young children.

That woe is me, poor child, for thee!
I feel such sorrow for you, poor child!