Thanks so much for posting this poem and discussing its possible meanings. I don't know if there was ever a medieval tune for the words, but the English composer Peter Warlock composed a beautiful setting in the 1920s.
I'd agree with Anonymous who says there might be a connection with the Virgin Mary because Warlock also set a number of Christmas poems by Bruce Blunt (Bethlehem Down and The Frostbound Wood) that focus on Mary. The song under the title "The Bayley Berith the Bell Away" can be found on this Decca CD:
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The Bailey Beareth the Bell Away
Date: February 6th, 2008 12:43 am (UTC)I'd agree with Anonymous who says there might be a connection with the Virgin Mary because Warlock also set a number of Christmas poems by Bruce Blunt (Bethlehem Down and The Frostbound Wood) that focus on Mary. The song under the title "The Bayley Berith the Bell Away" can be found on this Decca CD:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Warlock-Orchestral-Works-Peter/dp/B00005QDYO