DESCRIPTION:
The Boar's Head Carol, preformed so well by Magpie Lane and produced by Tim Healey. Yes, very talented people. This is a celebrated English carol sung by tradition in an ancient ceremony at Queen's College, Oxford, every Christmas. The boar's head is brought in on a large sliver platter while a chief singer renders the verses and choristers take up the refrain.

I do not own the song, paintings or photos in this video. It is mearly an attempt tell the story of this song, prefomed so well by Magpie Lane. I have no connection with either Magpie Lane or Beautiful Jo Records other than listening to the CD's and being a fan of Magpie Lane and Ian Giles.


The boar's head in hand bring I, (Or: The boar's head in hand bear I,)
Bedeck'd with bays and rosemary.
I pray you, my masters, be merry (Or: And I pray you, my masters, merry be)
Quot estis in convivio (Translation: As many as are in the feast)

CHORUS
Caput apri defero (Translation: The boar's head I offer)
Reddens laudes Domino (Translation: Giving praises to the Lord)

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. (Translation: Let us serve with a song)

CHORUS

Our steward hath provided this
In honour of the King of Bliss;
Which, on this day to be served is
In Reginensi atrio. (Translation: In the Queen's hall)

CHORUS