"The Boar's Head Carol"

This may be the oldest carol we have. Its author is unknown, although it is said to have been written at Queen's College, Oxford, where the tradition of bringing in the boar's head is reputed to have originated. The carol was first printed in 1521 by Jan van Wynken de Worde in a collection that may have been the first printed music in England. Like the original of "Good Christian Men, Rejoice," this carol is macaronic, that is, it mixes English and Latin freely.

Caput Apri Refero [I bear the head of the boar,
Resonens laudes domino Giving praise to the Lord]

The boar’s head in hands I bring
with garlands gay and birds singing
I pray you all help me to sing
Qui estis in Convivio [Who are in such good spirits]

Caput Apri Refero
Resonens laudes domino

The Boar’s head I understand
the chief service in all this land
where so ever it may be found
Seruitur cum cantico [serve it with a song]

Caput Apri Refero
Resonens laudes domino

**Good Richard hath provided this,
**in honor of the King of bliss,
**Which on this day to be served is,
**In Ricardi atrio [In Richard’s hall]

Caput Apri Refero
Resonens laudes domino

The Boar’s Head I dare well say
annon after the 12th day
he taketh his leave and goth away
Exuit tunc de patria [He leaves our country]

Caput Apri Refero
Resonens laudes domino

Balliol MM 354

**This verse came from a slightly different version- Brother Geoffrey tells me songs were often adapted to fit local circumstance, so he helped tweak the words and Latin to fit the Red Company's situation.