An English Carol sung by Irishmen

Just to remind us all that Christmas is not about things secular but the birth of Our Saviour (and a moderate amount of feasting).

And the words are here:-

Boar's Head Carol



                          The boar's head in hand bear I

Bedecked with bays and rosemary
                        I pray you, my masters, be merry

(so many as are in the feast)
                              Quot estis in convivio
 




 Chorus: Caput apri defero, Reddens laudes domino


(The boar's head I bring, giving praises to God)




The boar's head as I understand,

Is the rarest dish in all this land,

Which thus bedecked with a gay garland

Let us servire cantico. 

(let us serve with a song)





Chorus: Our steward hath provided this

In honor of the King of bliss

Which, on this day to be served is

In Reginensi atrio: 

(in the Queen's hall)

A vegetarian's nightmare!

The Boar's Head Feast and Traditional Carol

The boar's head in hand bring I 
Bedeck'd with bays and rosemary.
I pray you, my masters, be merry 
Quot estis in convivio.

Caput apri defero 
Reddens laudes Domino.

The boar's head, as I understand 
Is the rarest dish in all this land 
Which thus bedeck'd with a gay garland 
Let us servire cantico.

Caput apri defero 
Reddens laudes Domino

Our steward hath provided this 
In honor of the King of Bliss; 
Which, on this day to be served is 
In Reginensi atrio.

Caput apri defero 
Reddens laudes Domino

Steeleye Span recorded this back in the early 70s, I believe