Nativity Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry

Christmas Carols Jolly Jankyn (15th century)

Christmas Mass Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry

Text Kyrie, so kyrie, Jankyn syngyt merie, With Aleison. As I went on Yol Day In owre prosessyon, Knew I joly Jankyn By his mery ton, Kyrieleyson. Jankyn began the Offys On the Yol Day, And yyt me thynkyt it dos me good So merie gan he say, 'Kyrieleyson'. Jankyn red the Pystyl Full fayre and full wel, And yyt me thinkyt it dos me good As euere haue I sel, Kyrieleyson. Jankyn at the Sanctus Crakyt a merie note, And yyt me thinkyt it dos me good - I payid for his cote, Kyrieleyson. Jankyn crakit notes An hunderid on a knot, And yyt he hakkyt hem smallere Than wortes to the pot, Kyrieleyson. Jankyns at the Angnus Beryt the pax-brede: He twynkelid but said nowt, And on myn fot he trede, Kyrieleyson. Benedicamus Domino, Cryst fro schame me schylde: Deo gracias, therto - Alas! I go with chylde, Kyrieleyson.

Translation Kyrie, so kyrie, Jankin sings merrily, with Alison. As I went on Christmas day in our procession, I knew jolly Jankin by his merry voice. Kyrie eleison. Jankin began the Service on Christmas day, and yet it seems to me it does me good so merrily he began to say, 'Kyrie eleison'. Jankin read the Epistle very pleasingly and well, and yet it seems to me it does me good as for ever I gain eternal reward, Kyrie eleison. Jankin at the Sanctus trills a merry note and yet it seems to me it does me good - I paid for his coat, Kyrie eleison. Jankin trills notes a hundred at a time, and yet he hacks them smaller than herbs in the pot, Kyrie eleison. Jankin at the Agnus carries the pax-board: he winked but said nothing, and on my foot he trod, Kyrie eleison. Let us bless the Lord, Christ shield me from shame, thanks be to God as well - alas! I am with child, Kyrie eleison.

Note:
Poems about cleric's love affairs are not uncommon and Jankin (Little John) seems to have been the typical name. The heart of this poem is the delicate incongruity of the indelicate situation, the unexpected transporting of Holy Mass and sexual attraction, typified by the play on the name of the woman, Alison, and the Greek words of appeal to God, Kyrie eleison ("God have mercy").

Stanza 6 pax-brede: a small plate or tablet with a handle on the back and with the image of Christ or of the Virgin on the front, to be kissed at mass by priest and congregation.

Source: Richard L. Greene. The Early English Carols. Oxford 1977, pp.278-279.
Note: R.T. Davies. Medieval English Lyrics. London 1963, pp.336-337.
About the structure of the catholic mass: http://www.music.vt.edu/
On the Liturgy of the mass: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09790b.htm
Middle English Lyric 1100-1500: http://www.litencyc.com/php/stopics.php

St. Francis and the Miracle of the Crib (1297-1300)
(Frescoe of Giotto in the Basilica of St Francis, Assisi)

Source: http://www.wga.hu/frames-e.html?/html/g/giotto/

About Giotto: http://www.wga.hu/frames-e.html?/bio/g/giotto/biograph.html

About St. Francis of Assisi: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06221a.htm