Damariscotta Baptist Choir Christmas Party!

We had our annual Christmas Party last night and we're pleased that Gene and Lois could once again host it.
As tradition, we open with Gene's rendition of the "Boar's Head Carol".

Boars Head Carol

Listen to the music of The Boar's Head Carol and sing along. Merry Christmas!

The boar's head in hand bring I
Bedeck'd with bays and rosemary.
I pray you, my masters, be merry
Quot estis in convivio.

Caput apri defero
Reddens laudes Domino.

The boar's head, as I understand
Is the rarest dish in all this land
Which thus bedeck'd with a gay garland
Let us servire cantico.

Caput apri defero
Reddens laudes Domino

Our steward hath provided this
In honor of the King of Bliss;
Which, on this day to be served is
In Reginensi atrio.

Caput apri defero
Reddens laudes Domino

About this song Boars Head Carol

"The boar's head carol" is a traditional Christmas carol dating back to 16th century England. This song is sung on Christmas day at Queen's college, Oxford, where the custom of bringing a boar's head to the dining table is still maintained.

This tradition has its origin from the Pagan custom of serving boar as the first dish at Roman feasts. This is what Wikipedia says about the origin of the tradition at Oxford - Legend has it that a scholar was studying a book of Aristotle while walking through the forest on his way to Midnight Mass. Suddenly, he was confronted by an angry wild boar. Having no other weapon, the resourceful Oxonian rammed his metal-bound philosophy book down the throat of the charging animal, whereupon the brute choked to death. That night the boar's head, finely dressed and garnished, was borne in procession to the dining room, accompanied by carolers singing 'in honor of the King of bliss'. Shows how useful it is, to have a heavy book of Philosophy lying around!

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