Our American Holidays - Christmas/Annotated/The Boar’s Head Carol

THE BOAR'S HEAD CAROL

(Sung at Queen's College, Oxford.)
The boar's head in hand bear I,
Bedecked with bays and rosemary;
And I pray you, my masters, be merry,^[1]
      Quot estis in convivio.^[2]
            Caput apri defero
            Reddens laudes domino.^[3]

The boar's head, as I understand,
Is the rarest dish in all this land,
Which thus bedeck'd with a gay garland
      Let us servire cantico.^[4]
            Caput apri defero
            Reddens laudes domino.

Our steward hath provided this
In honour of the King of bliss;
Which on this day to be served is
      In Reginensi Atrio.^[5]
            Caput apri defero
            Reddens laudes domino.

Notes

1. Or: And I pray you, my masters, merry be.
2. Translation: As you all feast so heartily.
3. Translation of Chorus:

   Lo, behold the head I bring

   Giving praise to God we sing

   Alternate translation:

   The boar’s head I bring,

   Giving praises to the Lord.

4. Translation: Let us serve with a song.
5. Translation: In the Queen's hall.