Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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Obviously some confusion between this story of a servant in Herod's court vs the Martyr St. Stephen (who wasn't yet born):
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Stephen

Of course, they may well have both existed and being stoned, especially with all that 'ryche wede' around.

Entry in Child:
archive.org/details/englishandscotti01chiluoft/page/n253/mode/2up

Painting is 'Herod's Banquet' by Filippo Lippi.

Attempt at making this singable in English is my own:

Saint Stephen was a servant in king Herod’s hall,
And served at his table, good meat and bread all.
He came from the kitchen with the head of a boar,
When up in the night sky, a bright star he saw,

He cast done the boars head, and ran to the hall,
I forsake king Herod, and his evil deeds all,
I forsake king Herod, a man of great sin,
For Bethlehem’s Child, will new world begin,

What aileth thee Stephen, and what befalls thee,
Have you lacked meat or drink in the hall here with me?
I lacked no meat or drink in the hall of the King,
But a child has been born who will change everything’

What aileth thee Stephen, hast though lost your mine,
Do you lack gold or wages, or spices so fine,
I lack not gold or wages, I’ve spices indeed,
But Bethlehem’s child will give what we need,

If that is true Stephen, and if it be so,
The cock in my dish, will arise now and crow,
He’d no sooner spoken, that word in the hall,
The cock crew Christ’s come now unto the lords all,

Rise up now my soldiers by two and by one,
And lead Stephen out at the set of the sun,
And stone him, and stone him until he be dead,
Now Christmas Day echoes what Saint Stephen said,

My second album of Child Balalds is out:
ozfolklounge.bandcamp.com/album/cruel-mothers