British composer Philip Stopford composed Lully, Lulla, Lullay, his version of the Coventry Carol in 2008. The original Coventry Carol dates from the 16th century and was traditionally performed in Coventry as part of a mystery play called The Pageant of the Shearmen and Tailors. The rocking lullaby tells the story of the massacre of the innocents — when King Herod ordered all male infants under the age of two to be killed. It is sung though from a mother's perspective . . . a beautiful lament for her doomed child. (Note thanks to ClassicFM.com)
Lully, lulla, lully lulla
By by, lully lullay
Lully, lulla, 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?
Lully, lulla, lully lulla
By by, lully lullay
Lully, lulla thou little tiny child
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.
Lully, lulla, lully lulla
By by, lully lullay
Lully, lulla, thou little tiny child
By by, lully lullay
That woe is me,
Poor child for thee!
And ever morn and day,
For thy parting
Neither say nor sing
By by, lully lullay!
Lully, lulla, lully lulla
By by, lully lullay
Lully, lulla, thou little tiny child
By by, lully lullay
By by, lully lullay
Lully, Lulla, Lullay - VOCES8
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