Lyrics

Lulle Lullay (collected by John Jacob Niles
in 1934 in Gatlinburg, Tenn.
Lyric origins are based in the
Coventry Carol which date to Old English)

Lullay, Thou tiny little child
Bye-bye, lulle, lullay;
Lullay Thou tiny little child
Bye-bye, lulle, lullay.

Oh sisters two, how may we do
For to persevere this day?
To this poor youngling
for whom we sing
Bye-bye, lulle, lullay.

Herod the King in his raging
Charged he hath this day,
His soldiers in their
strength and might
All children young to slay.

Then woe is me, poor Child for thee,
And ever mourn and say,
For at thy parting nor say nor sing
Bye-bye, lulle, lullay.

And when the stars ingather do,
In their far venture stay,
Then smile as dreaming Little One,
Bye-bye, lulle, lullay.