The Boar's Head Carol
Early English Carol
The boar's head in hand bear I
Bedecked with bay and rosemary;
So I pray you my masters be merry,
Quot estis in convivio.1
Caput apri defero
Reddens laudes Domino2
Caput apri defero
Reddens laudes Domino
The boar's head as I understand
Is the rarest dish in all the land,
Which thus bedecked with a gay garland,
Servitur cum sinapio.3
Caput apri defero
Reddens laudes Domino
Caput apri defero
Reddens laudes Domino
Our steward hath provided this
In honour of the King of bliss,
Which on this day to be served is
In reginensi atrio.4
Caput apri defero
Reddens laudes Domino
Caput apri defero
Reddens laudes Domino
The boar's head, I dare well say,
Anon after the eleventh day,
He takes his leave and goes away,
Exivit tum de patria.5
Caput apri defero
Reddens laudes Domino
Caput apri defero
Reddens laudes Domino
1. However many are at the feast.
2. I bring the boar's head, rendering praises to the Lord.
3. It is served with mustard.
4. In the Queen's hall
5. He has then left the Fatherland.
Much as I love a nice Christmas ham, I have to say that there is something just a little ironic about eating pork in honor of a Jew, even if he is the Son of God.