The popular French tune of this carol first appeared as a secular dance named “Branle de L’Official”. It appeared in ‘Orchésographie’, a collection of dances published in 1589 and written by Jehan Tabouret (pen name Thoinot Arbeau). The established lyrics were written by the English composer George Ratcliffe Woodward and first published in 1924; appearing in the Cambridge Carol Book. Duration: 3.30
