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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE COVENTRY CAROL by ANONYMOUS

First Line: "LULLY, LULLAY, THOU LITTLE TINY CHILD"
Last Line: "NEITHER SAY NOR SING / BY BY, LULLY LULLAY!"
Subject(s): CHRISTMAS CAROLS;HEROD THE GREAT (73-4 B.C.);

Lully, lulla, thou little tiny child,
By, by, lully, lullay, thou little tiny child,
By, by, lully, lullay!
O! sisters too,
How may we do
For to preserve, this day,
This pore yongling
For whom we do singe,
"By, by, lully, lullay'?
Herod, the king,
In his raging,
Charged he hath, this day,
His men of might
In his owne sight
All yonge children to slay.
That, wo is me,
Pore child, for thee,
And ever morne and may;
For thy parting
Nether say nor singe,
"By, by, lully, lullay.'







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