Leighton, Kenneth: Lully, lulla, thou little tiny child

Lully, lulla, thou little tiny child (1948)

Lully, lulla, thou little tiny child.
By, by, lully, lullay.

O sisters too, How may we do
For to preserve this day
This poor youngling For whom we do sing,
By, by, lully, lullay?

Herod the king, In his raging,
Charg’d he hath this day
His men of might, In his own sight,
All young children to slay.

That woe is me, Poor child, for thee!
And ever morn and may,
For thy parting, Nor say nor sing
By, by, lully, lullay!

Words: 15th Century, from the Pageant of the Shearmen and Tailors, Coventry
Music: Kenneth Leighton (1929–88)