BOAR'S HEAD CAROL
Queens College Version, Oxford, England. First published in 1521.
The boar's head in hand bear I
Bedecked with bays and rosemary
I pray you, my masters, be merry
Quot estis in convivio (so many as are in the feast)
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)