Categories: uncategorized
Date: 15 December 2006 09:44:01
Firstly, profound thanks to the Displaced Yorkshireman for pointing out the merits of eating Christmas cake with Wensleydale. I had forgotten this most important Yuletide snack. He also has some fine ideas about Christmas decorations, so it's well worth the read.
Does anyone know this carol, or understand its symbolism? I gather that it's known either as 'The Corpus Christi Carol', or 'Down in yon forest'. But if anyone could explain the purple, scarlet, stone and thorn I'd be very grateful. Here it is, though regrettably without the tune, which is sublime.
Down in yon forest there stands a hall
The bells of Paradise I heard them ring
It's covered all over with purple so tall
And I love my Lord Jesus above anything
Down in the hall there stands a bed
The bells of Paradise I heard them ring
It's covered all over in scarlet so red
And I love my Lord Jesus above anything
At the bed side there lies a stone
The bells of Paradise I heard them ring
Which the sweet Virgin Mary knelt upon
And I love my Lord Jesus above anything
At the bed's foot there stands a thorn
The bells of Paradise I heard them ring
Which ever blows blossom since he was born
And I love my Lord Jesus above anything
Over the bed the moon shines bright
The bells of Paradise I heard them ring
Denoting a Saviour was born this night
And I love my Lord Jesus above anything