First Wednesday in December......

...time for The Boar's Head Carol...


'Caput apri defero'


Traditionally sung at Hurstpierpoint College on the first Wednesday in December to accompany none other than a Boar's Head on a platter with creamed potato tusks, glace cherry eyes and an apple in its mouth!

A nightmare for vegetarians!

and the words.....

The boar's head in hand bear I
Bedecked with bays and rosemary
I pray you, my masters, be merry
Quot estis in convivio.       [howsoever many are at the feast]
Caput apri defero,       [I bring the boar's head]
Reddens laudes Domino       [rendering praises to the Lord]

 The boar's head, as I understand,
Is the rarest dish in all the land,
Which thus bedecked with a gay garland
Servitur cum sinapio.       [it is served with mustard]
Caput apri defero,
Reddens laudes Domino

Our steward hath provided this
In honour of the King of bliss
Which on this day to be served is
In Reginensi Atrio:       [in the Queen's hall]
Caput apri defero,
Reddens laudes Domino

The boar's head, I dare well say,
Anon after the eleventh day,
He takes his leave and goes away,
Exivit tum de patria.       [he has then left the fatherland]
Caput apri defero,
Reddens laudes Domino

Anon 1521