The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #147755   Message #3426332
Posted By: AllisonA(Animaterra)
26-Oct-12 - 08:49 AM
Thread Name: Lyr Add: Coventry Carol - last verse meaning?
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Coventry Carol - last verse meaning?
The best explanation for the origins of the Coventry Carol can be found Here.

As for the last verse, if it is "dialogue" from a play as described in the link, it seems like Mary is saying, "oh, woe is me, poor child! And I'll keep mourning and saying 'woe is me'until your departure, but I won't sing, 'Bye bye.... Etc."
Of course, trying to parse it with that much detail takes all the poetry and beauty out of it.