The bores heed in hande bring I

A caroll bringyng in the bores heed.

Source: Edward Bliss Reed, Christmas Carols Printed in the 16th Century Including Kele's Christmas Carolles Newly Inprynted (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1932), page 3

"Reproduced by permission of Bodley's Librarian. ... The size of the original page is 5 inches by 3 1/2 inches."

This carol requires the installation of the "Old Blackletter" font for best display.
See notes in F A Q

See: Boar's Head Carols

Caput apri differo

Reddens laudens domino.

The bores heed in hande bring I

With garlans gay and ro~emary

I pray you all ~ynge merely

Diu e~tis in conuiuio

The bores heed I vnder~tande

Is the thefe ~eruyce in this lande

Loke where euer it be fande

Seruite cum cantico.

Be gladde lordes bothe more & la~~e

For this hath ordeyned our ~tewarde

To chere you all this christma~~e

The bores heed with mustarde.

Finis

Translations of the Latin from Adams, Round About Our Coal Fire (ca. 1860)

W. H. Davenport Adams provided these handy Latin translations for those of us who were unable to take a course of study in this ancient tongue.

1. Quot estis in convivio. = Ye who are now at the feast.
2. Caput Apri defero | Reddens laudes Domino. - I bring the boar's head, returning praise to the Lord.
3. Let us servire cantico. = Let us serve it with a song.
4. In Reginensi Atrio. = In the Queen's Hall.

Translations from W. H. Davenport Adams, Round About Our Coal Fire (London: James Blackwood, no date; "1860" written in pen, and the date of the Preface), p. 163.

The word "thefe" in verse 2, line 2 is considered to be a typographical error. The correct word should be "chefe." (i.e., chefe)

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