“THE COVENTRY CAROL” – 13 DAYS TO CHRISTMAS

This is a really pretty old English carol. But its sweetness belies its depressing message.

The song was part of a Christmas pageant performed in Coventry as far back as the late 16th century. This part, best known for its “Lullay, lullay” line, is meant to be a lullaby sung by mothers whose sons were ordered to be slaughtered by King Herod in his hunt for the baby Jesus.

This makes “Christmas with the Devil” seem like wholesome fun.

Annie Lennox recorded it for a holiday album in 2010. Here she is performing it at the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting.