The 1504 source of the Corpus Christi Carol, mentioned by Tootler above, is the commonplace book of Richard Hill, an apprentice grocer in London. (Balliol College MS 354).

There have been numerous attempts to unravel the full meaning of the text, with theories ranging from Holy Grail legends and the Passion of Christ, to covert messages denouncing Henry VIII's reform of the English church and expressing sympathy for the plight of Catherine of Aragon.