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)

Christina Rossetti -

"Love came down at Christmas"

Love came down at Christmas, Love all lovely, Love Divine, Love was born at Christmas, Star and Angels gave the sign.
Worship we the Godhead, Love Incarnate, Love Divine, Worship we our Jesus, But wherewith for sacred sign?
Love shall be our token, Love shall be yours and love be mine, Love to God and all men, Love for plea and gift and sign.

First Wednesday in December......

...time for The Boar's Head Carol...


'Caput apri defero'


Traditionally sung at Hurstpierpoint College on the first Wednesday in December to accompany none other than a Boar's Head on a platter with creamed potato tusks, glace cherry eyes and an apple in its mouth!

A nightmare for vegetarians!

and the words.....

The boar's head in hand bear I
Bedecked with bays and rosemary
I pray you, my masters, be merry
Quot estis in convivio.       [howsoever many are at the feast]
Caput apri defero,       [I bring the boar's head]
Reddens laudes Domino       [rendering praises to the Lord]

 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.       [it is served with mustard]
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:       [in the Queen's hall]
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.       [he has then left the fatherland]
Caput apri defero,
Reddens laudes Domino

Anon 1521 

Tomorrow shall be my........

.......Dancing Day!