Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: singer-songwriter
Song Meaning of “Coventry Carol” by Sufjan Stevens
The ‘Coventry Carol’ by Sufjan Stevens is a beautiful a cappella folk song about the Christmas Massacre of 16-21. The lyrics come from a 16th Century Coventry Play, which took place in Coventry, England. In this play, mothers were commanded to kill their own children, as a way to avoid the possibility of future suffering at the hands of approaching warriors.
The song begins with the sombre question “Lully, lullay, thou little tiny child”, asking the listener to listen in solemn reverence for the plight of these mothers. As the song progresses, we hear of the mothers’ grief and anguish, as they are commanded to give up their children out of love. The lyric “For thy parting neither say nor sing, Bye, bye, lully, lullay” captures the pain of the mothers perfectly. Though they have to give their children up, they hold onto hope that they won’t be forgotten, that they will still live on in their mothers’ hearts despite the tragedy.
The final chorus reflects on the innocent children taken in the massacre, wishing “God grant thee to thy rest.” The song ends on a somber note, recognizing the loss and tragedy that happened in Coventry and reminding us to never forget those who must endure such suffering.