Lullay Myn Lykyng is an old English Christmas song that portrays
a scene of Our Lord in
the manger
and His Blessed Mother. There, Our Lady, filled with the most tender love a mother could have for her child, sings a lullaby to her precious Son, the newly born Christ.
The Divine Infant is born in humility, yet He is the Lord of Creation, the King of Kings. Angels celebrate and sing with joy at His Birth, honoring their Lord and His Blessed Mother. While imagining this scene between the Holy Virgin and her Divine Son, the singer asks
them to bless those who celebrate His Nativity.
This song comes down to us from the 15th century Sloane Manuscripts and is of unknown authorship. It is here sung by the Counterpoint Vocal Ensemble.
Listen to Lullay Myn Lykyng
Old English Lyrics:
Lullay, myn lykyng,
My dere Sone, myn swetyng,
Lullay, my dere herte,
Myn owyn dere derlyng.
I saw a fayr maydyn,
Syttyn and synge,
Sche lullyd a lytyl Chyld,
Her swete Lordyng,
Lullay, myn lykyng,
My dere Sone, myn swetyng,
Lullay, my dere herte,
Myn owyn dere derlyng.
That eche Lord is He,
That made alle thinge,
Of alle lordis he is Lord,
Of evry kynges Kyng.
Ther was mekyl melody,
At that Chyldes berthe,
Tho the songsters were heavn'ly
Thei made mekyl merthe.
Lullay, myn lykyng,
My dere Sone, myn swetyng,
Lullay, my dere herte,
Myn owyn dere derlyng.
Myn owyn dere derlyng.
Aungele bryt thei song that nyt,
And seydyn to that Chyld,
"Blyssid be Thou, and so be sche,
That is bothe mek and myld."
Lullay, myn lykyng,
My dere Sone, myn swetyng,
Lullay, my dere herte,
Myn owyn dere derlyng.
Prey we now to that Chyld,
And to His Moder dere,
God grawnt all hem His blyssyng,
That now makyn chere.
Lullay, myn lykyng,
My dere Sone, myn swetyng,
Lullay, my dere herte,
Myn owyn dere derlyng.
Translation:
Lullay, mine liking,
My dear Son, mine sweeting,
Lullay, my dear heart,
Mine own dear darling.
I saw a fair maiden,
Sitting and singing,
She lulled a little Child,
Her sweet Lording:
Lullay, mine liking,
My dear Son, mine sweeting,
Lullay, my dear heart,
Mine own dear darling.
That very Lord is He,
That made all things,
Of all lords He is Lord,
Of every king He is King.
There was mickle (much) melody,
At that Child's birth,
Though the songsters were heavenly,
They made mickle mirth.
Lullay, mine liking,
My dear Son, mine sweeting,
Lullay, my dear heart,
Mine own dear darling.
Mine own dear darling.
Angels bright they sang that night,
And said unto that Child,
"Blessed be Thou, and so be she,
That is both meek and mild."
Lullay, mine liking,
My dear Son, mine sweeting,
Lullay, my dear heart,
Mine own dear darling.
Pray we now to that Child,
And to His Mother dear,
Grant them His blessing
That now maken cheer.
Lullay, mine liking,
My dear Son, mine sweeting,
Lullay, my dear heart,
Mine own dear darling.
