English Folk-Carols/King Herod and the Cock

by anon

For other versions of this work, see The Carnal and the Crane.

KING HEROD AND THE COCK.

1⁠There was a star in David's land,
In David's land appeared;
And in King Herod's chamber
So bright it did shine there.

2⁠The Wise Men they soon spi-ed it,
And told the King a-nigh
That a Princely Babe was born that night,
No King shall e'er destroy.

3⁠If this be the truth, King Herod said,
That thou hast told to me,
The roasted cock that lies in the dish
Shall crow full senses three.

4⁠O the cock soon thrustened and feathered well,
By the work of God's own hand,
And he did crow full senses three
In the dish where he did stand.