trad
“The king was the wren. The wren was the king of the birds. In ancient religions the king was sacrificed every seven years for the fertility and good of the tribe. In some places (Ireland) the queen was royal and married new consorts to be sacrificed. The consort was treated well for seven years (or one year) and then sacrificed by the new consort. A wren was killed and dressed up in ribbons, etc. and carried around the village. This is from Pembrokeshire in South Wales, commemorating the wren-killing on St Stephen’s Day, 26 December. “Old Christmas”, still celebrated rather than 25 December is Twelfth Night.”
Joy, health, love, and peace be all here in this place By your leave we will sing concerning our king Our king is well dressed in the silks of the best In ribbons so rare, no king can compare We have travelled many miles over hedges and stiles In search of our king, unto you we bring We have powder and shot to conquer the lot We have cannon and ball to conquer them all Old Christmas is past, Twelfth Night is the last, And we bid you adieu, great joy to the new