January 4, The 11th day of Christmas

The wisemen are closing in, so we're going to take a peak at their progress with the carol, "King Herod and the Cock". It apparently hails from the West Midlands our thereabouts according to a West Midlands carol site, but the words are also found in the longer "Carnal and the Crane".

There was a star in David's land,
In David's land appeared,
And in King Herod's chamber
So bright it did shine there.


The wise men they soon spied it
And told the king anigh,
That a Prince's Babe was born that night
No king shall e'er destroy.


If this be the truth, King Herod said,
That thou hast told to me,
The roasted cock that lies in the dish
Shall crow full senses three.


Oh, the cock soon thrusten'd and feather'd well
By the works of God's own hand,
And he did crow full senses three
In the dish where he did stand.