The bores heed in hande bring I
A caroll bringyng in the bores heed.
Words and Music: Traditional English
(From A Collection of Christmas Carols, printed by Wynkyn de Worde, in 1521, from which book it is given by Hearne, in his notes to William of Newbery, iii. p. 175.)
Source: Thomas Wright, Specimens of old Christmas Carols, Selected from Manuscripts and Printed Books (London: The Percy Society, 1841)
This carol requires the installation of the "Junius Modern" font for best display.
See notes in F A Q
Compare: The Boar's Head Carol and The Boar's Head
See generally: The Boar's Head Carols
Middle English; retyped in Old Blackletter
Caput apri differo
Reddens laudens domino.
The bores heed in hande bring I
With garlands gay and rosemary
I pray you all synge merely
Qiu estis in conuiuio
The bores heed I understande
Is the chefe servyce in this lande;
Loke where ever it be fande
Servite cum cantico.
Be gladde, lordes, bothe more and lasse,
For this hath ordeyned owr stewarde
To chere you all this Christmasse
The bores heed with mustarde.
Finis
The word "thefe" in verse 2 is considered to by a typographical error. The correct word should be "chefe."
