Down In Yon Forest

A magnificent sunset draws November to a close and takes us into winter. Here's a traditional Derbyshire carol to get you in the Yuletide spirit.


Down in yon forest there be a hall:
(Sing May, Queen May, sing Mary)
'Tis covered all over with purple and pall
Sing all good men for the newborn baby

Oh, in that hall there stands a bed:
(Sing May, Queen May, sing Mary)
'Tis stained with blood like cardinal red
Sing all good men for the newborn baby

At the bedside there lies a stone
(Sing May, Queen May, sing Mary)
On which the Virgin did atone
Sing all good men for the newborn baby

Under that hall is a gushing flood:
(Sing May, Queen May, sing Mary)
From Christ's own side, it is water and blood
Sing all good men for the newborn baby

Beside that bed a shrub tree grows
(Sing May, Queen May, sing Mary)
Since he was born, it blooms and blows
Sing all good men for the newborn baby

Oh, on that bed, a young squire sleeps
(Sing May, Queen May, sing Mary)
His wounds are sick; unseen, he weeps
Sing all good men for the newborn baby

Oh, hail yon hall where none can sin
(Sing May, Queen May, sing Mary)
For it's gold outside and silver within
Sing all good men for the newborn baby