Coventry Carol

Ruach Breath of Life

Only one manuscript survived the ravages of time of this beautiful sixteenth century that we know and love today as the Coventry Carol. I am so glad it did! It represents the women of Bethlehem singing a lament over their young babies, whose death Herod had commanded, and it was incorporated into the mystery plays that Coventry staged in its cathedral. Whereas modern nativities conclude their presentations on a happy note, medieval mystery plays (which were normally staged in mid-summer on account of the better weather) did not restrict themselves to the Christmas story, but were concerned to instruct people in the whole history of the world as the Scriptures represent it: from the earliest days of Creation right up until the Doomsday Return of the Lord Jesus as King and Judge of the world. The tragic episode known as ‘The Massacre of the Innocents’ was included in this broad sweep, reflecting the very high cost associated with Christ coming into the world. Very movingly, this Carol was sung on Christmas Day 1940, in the bombed-out ruins of Coventry Cathedral in the aftermath of the blitz that had destroyed the city. We can imagine the impact it had as the broadcast went out right across the British Empire. Having savoured the beauty of this carol, and the brief improvisation that follows it, some of you may find it helpful to continue to play it, and ask the Lord Jesus to lead you in prayer for some of the many people and places in the world where parents mourn the loss of their children, and such massacres remain an ever-present and tragic reality. 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 ever mourn And may for thy parting neither say nor sing bye-bye, lully lullay. Lully, lullay, thou little tiny child, bye-bye, lully lullay.