The Corpus Christi Carol translation by Michael R Burch

The Corpus Christi Carol anonymous Middle English poem translation by Michael R. Burch He bore him up, he bore him down, He bore him into an orchard brown. Lully, lullay, lully, lullay! The falcon has borne my mate away. In that orchard there stood a hall Hanged all over with purple and pall. Lully, lullay, lully, lullay! The falcon has borne my mate away. And in that hall there stood a bed hanged all over with gold so red. Lully, lullay, lully, lullay! The falcon has borne my mate away. And in that bed there lies a knight, His wounds all bleeding day and night. Lully, lullay, lully, lullay! The falcon has borne my mate away. By that bed's side there kneels a maid, And she weeps both night and day. Lully, lullay, lully, lullay! The falcon has borne my mate away. And by that bedside stands a stone, "Corpus Christi" written thereon. Lully, lullay, lully, lullay! The falcon has borne my mate away. *** Go, hert, hurt with adversity anonymous Middle English poem translation by Michael R. Burch Go, heart, hurt with adversity, and let my lady see thy wounds, then say to her, as I say to thee: “Farewell, my joy, and welcome pain, till I see my lady again.” *** Holly and Ivy anonymous Middle English poem translation by Michael R. Burch Nay! Ivy, nay! It shall not be, like this: Let Holly have the mastery, As the manner is. Holly stood in the hall Fair to behold; Ivy stood outside the door, Lonely and cold. Holly and his merry men Commenced to dance and sing; Ivy and her maidens Were left outside to weep and wring. Ivy has a chilblain, She caught it with the cold. So must they all have, aye, Whom with Ivy hold. Holly has berries As red as any rose: The foresters and hunters Keep them from the does. Ivy has berries As black as any ill: There comes the owl To eat them as she will. Holly has birds, A full fair flock: The nightingale, the popinjay, The gentle lark. Good Ivy, good Ivy, What birds cling to you? None but the owl Who cries, "Who? Who?' *** Besse Bunting anonymous Middle English poem translation by Michael R. Burch In April and May When hearts be all a-merry, Bessie Bunting, the miller’s girl, With lips as red as cherries, Cast aside remembrance To pass her time in dalliance And leave her misery to chance. Right womanly arrayed In petticoats of white, She was undismayed And her countenance was light. Keywords/Tags: Corpus Christi Carol, translation, Lully, lullay, falcon, mate, hall, heart, hurt, joy, pain, bird, birds, light