[Artemisia] Merry Christmas

[Reuben and Arwen]

Merry Christmas to all!  Arwen
   
  Then, there is the sad and rather scary English "Coventry Carol". This 15th century tune is one of the oldest unadapted carols around, retaining both its original tune and original lyrics. Both were first written down in 1591, but the tradition of the Coventry plays in which it was sung goes back to at least to 1456. These passion plays (a passion play commemorates the last week of Christ's death and his subsequent resurrection) apparently included a scene about the legend of the Slaughter of the Innocents shortly after Christ's birth (Feast day: December 28). According to the New Testament, the king of that time in Judea, Herod, was a tyrant who feared usurpation. After the Wise Men visited him, prophesying the wonders of Christ's birth, he ordered all first-born boys in Nazareth slaughtered. The song was probably sung during the reenactment of this story.

       
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