English Folk-Carols/King Herod and the Cock

by Anonymous

For other versions of this work, see The Carnal and the Crane.

KING HEROD AND THE COCK.

1There was a star in David's land,
In David's land appeared;
And in King Herod's chamber
So bright it did shine there.

2The Wise Men they soon spi-ed it,
And told the King a-nigh
That a Princely Babe was born that night,
No King shall e'er destroy.

3If this be the truth, King Herod said,
That thou hast told to me,
The roasted cock that lies in the dish
Shall crow full senses three.

4O the cock soon thrustened and feathered well,
By the work of God's own hand,
And he did crow full senses three
In the dish where he did stand.