I just love this carol but only listen to it at Xmas. This version, and yes I do know the Steely Eyespan version. When I see that stupid person and his followers in America, it reminds me that he will never, ever achieve the pomp and ceremony of the English themselves as seen in the above video. True it is pompous - speak only in Latin because we are the intelligentsia. But the carol has such grace and the poor boar's head reminds us of wild boar in the woods hunted by medieval royalty and the peasants slain should they venture into those self-same woods.
We still have the woods and some boar in the Forest of Dean and yesterday a lone wild Beaver was found in Norfolk. Hurrah the beavers are escaping from different parts of England. So does that really make him a 'wild' beaver, considering he may have escaped from a reserve?
And now for something very different - Fascinating Ida
Thanks to Jablog for reminding me of my favourite carol.
I'm common enough to have really enjoyed the second Christmas song. The 'Fascinating' ladies always amuse.
ReplyDeleteActually Andrew I was trying to show the ridiculous of the ceremony, the choir going up to the high table (think Harry Potter's school) for scraps from the lords. "The lord in his castle and the peasant in his hovel" and that is what Trump and his mates are trying to achieve. I still love the song though ;)
DeleteThelmax of course.
DeleteI learned The Boars Head Carol many decades ago. As a church pianist I haven't found much use for it, though I enjoy it at home. I was playing today from The Oxford Book of Carols and decided the lively Boars Head would do to usher the congregation out of church. There is something very rousing and decisive about it and the Latin chorus I can imagine being delivered in a genial roar of exuberant voices.
ReplyDeleteI tend to stumble over the Latin Sharon but you are right, it is good 'entrance or exit' music. Very solemn and impressive and the lead who sang it at Oxford had a very good voice. The song was written in the 16th century, one of the oldest carols. As a child I always loved 'Greensleeves' which must also been written around that time.
ReplyDeleteThelmax
I have never heard that Carol, but the dining room in the video reminds me of the room in the Oxford College where my son had his Wedding party for their UK friends. ( They got married in Slovenia some weeks before.....and My DIL works for Oxford University )
ReplyDeleteThat must have been a pleasant surprise for you Frances recognising it. Wedding feasts are always traditional.
DeleteI liked seeing the little girls carrying the candles in the ceremony, and also wondered how heavy a boar's head is!
ReplyDeleteDo you think it was a real Boar's head though it had a funny eye. The little girl clutched her candle holder with such seriousness, I was a bit worried about her hair catching fire.
DeleteWell, the boar's head on a platter looks pretty gross to me so I didn't listen to the whole thing.
ReplyDeleteI did get a giggle out of the second song!
I liked the moment when the singer got the top prize, which was the orange in the boar's mouth Ellen.
DeleteOh dear. Strongly suggest removing above link. The boars head ceremony was interesting. A reminder of days gone by, but what is the purpose of reenacting it in these times.
ReplyDeleteAn observation: trump would not spare a morsel for anyone. Greedy pig!
Removed the link Debby, though was intrigued to know what was being said. "What was the point of reenacting". Well Debby for a start what would we do about all those royal coaches in London not forgetting the soldiers and horses that prance alongside them. It's 'tradition' ;) Also a reminder that it is being played out in these times.
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