Herode Y^t Was Both Wylde And Wode

De Innocentibus

Source: William Sandys, Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern (London: Richard Beckley, 1833)

Compare: Herod That Was Both Wild and Wode (Rickert)

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See notes in F A Q

Worchepe we this holy day,
y^t all innocentis for vs pray.

Herode y^t was both wylde and wode,
ful muche he shadde of cristen blode,
To sle y^t chylde so meke of mode
that mary bare, y^t clene may.

Mary w^t i•u forthe yfrawzt,
As the angell hur towzt
To flee the londe till h^t wer' sowzt
To epyette she toke hure way.

Herode sloo w^t pryde and synne
Thowsands of ij zer' and w^t ynne,
The body of criste he thozft to wynne,
and to destrye the cristen fay.

Now i•u y^t dyest for vs on the rode,
And c^ristendest innocents in his blode,
By the pyer of thy moder gode,
Bryng v^s to blysse y^t lastith ay.

Sandys' Note:

This [is] from Addit. MSS. 5665. (formerly in Ritson's possession,) being a collection of church services, hymns, carols and songs in score, made (as it supposed) in the time of Henry VIII [1491-1547, reign 1509-1547].