Of course the Magi/Kings are likely to figure to some degree in most Innocents' Day carols. A case in point being my own "In Bethlem Town", to the PESKY SARPENT tune ("On Springfield Mountain there did dwell"); they are in vv. 4 & 5:
- In Bethlem town the Christ was born.
They laid him down that starlit mor-ee-orn
Amidst the corn, in swaddling gown
Unbleached and worn, with hay his crown.
Too-loo-ree-loo, too-loo-ree-lay,
Too-loo-ree-loo: 'twas Christmas Day.
- On hills nearby, poor shepherds graze
Their flocks. The sky explodes in prai-ee-aise,
With angels' lays to God on high:
"Fear not, this day salvation's nigh!
Too-loo-ree-loo, too-loo-ree-lirth,
Good will to you, and peace on earth!"
- The shepherds then of one accord
To Bethlem ran to greet the Lor-ee-ord.
They found him sleeping in a trough,
Convolved in cheap, unwhitened cloth.
Too-loo-ree-laid, too-loo-ree-lotched,
They knelt and prayed as Mary watched.
- From Persia far, wise Parsees came,
Led by his star, to praise his name-ee-ame.
They brought presents of gold and myrrh
And frankincense--and beaver fur,
Too-loo-ree-lurr, too-loo-ree-lee,
Then went home sur-reptitiously.
- King Herod had bequestioned them,
With motive bad, about Bethlem-ee-em.
The crafty sages Herod left
In royal rage, of facts bereft--
Too-loo-ree-lilled, too-loo-ree-lents,
So Herod killed the Innocents.
- God said to Joseph and his wife:
To Egypt go, to save your li-ee-ife.
Thine ancient namesake as a slave
To Egypt came your folk to save.
Too-loo-ree-lask, too-loo-ree-lun,
A sim'lar task awaits your son.
- Good people all, consider ye,
Whom God hath called to liberty-I-ee--
Consider well the awful cost
The Scriptures tell in children lost;
Too-loo-ree-low, too-loo-ree-laid,
Consider now the ransoms paid.
- God's peace to you; now merry be,
For 'tis all true, of verity-I-ee.
The baby born, ye know it well,
That holy morn, hath vanquished Hell,
Too-loo-ree-loss, too-loo-ree-lee,
Upon the cross, and we are free!
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sj