This is a Devon version of the well-known carol, collected by the Rev. Sabine Baring-Gould, who came from the parish of St. Sidwell's, Exeter, from his Aunt Cecily in about 1840. It is a version midway between the version that is generally sung today, and the two Somerset recensions (Versions 1 and 2). Incidentally, a "colley bird" is a coal-colored bird -- i.e., a blackbird. This is probably an earlier version than the familiar "calling bird."
Download PDF
|
|
 |
A colley bird |
|
|
|