The Carnival King

From Snow and Ice He arose
Decked in finest Motley
and wearing the Fool's Crown
We proclaim Him King!
His throne is gold
studded with gems
yet it is deal withal
covered with paint and paste

And He has reigned a Fortnight
We have hallowed Him with strong drink
and Wantonness
with song and dancing
until we are spent
This morning ends His reign at last
We drape Him in ivy
His throne decorated in sheaths of corn
Drowsy from His revels He takes little notice
as young girls pull Him on a wagon
through the village street

At the river he is cast down
ripped with scythes and pelted with stones
and given His true name
For He is Death
and He must Die
to bring Life to us all

To the birds upon the leaves
To the roots that twist in soil
And so we have torn Him
taunted and beaten Him
and cast His bones into the furrows

The Carnival King is Dead!
and we shall live another year
For He is Death
and He has Died
to bring Life to us all