Lyrics

Down in Yon Forest
(Derived Middle English
from the Corpus Christi Carol,
as collected by John Jacob Niles
in Cherokee County, N.C. c. 1933)

Down in yon forest be a hall,
(Sing May, Queen May, sing Mary!)
'Tis coverlided over with purple and pall.
(Sing all good folk for the new-born Baby!)

Oh in that hall is a pallet bed...
'Tis stained with blood like cardinal red...

And at that pallet is a stone...
On which the Virgin did atone...

Beside that bed a shrub tree grows...
Since He was born it blooms and blows...

Oh, on that bed a young Lord sleeps...
His wounds are sick, and see, he weeps...

Oh hail yon Hall were none can sin,
(Sing May, Queen May, sing Mary!)
Cause it's gold outside and silver within,
(Sing all good folk for the new-born Baby!)