January 14 marks the old medieval “Feast of Asses” (“Festum Asinorum“), now an obscure and abandoned observance that, among other things, commemorated the flight into Egypt. It was part of the greater medieval Feast of Fools, which fell out of observance by the 15th Century. But it did give us a particular carol tune that you will no-doubt recognize, “Orientis Partibus“:

The Latin lyrics (while not quite the same as those in the above videos–kind of a conglomeration of the two) are as below. I offer a somewhat free translation from the Latin on my part (with thanks to the resources linked at The Hymns and Carols of Christmas for inspiration):

Orientis partibus adventavit asinus, pulcher et fortissimus, Sarcinis aptissimus.      Hez, Sir Asnes, hez! Hic in collibus Sychen iam nutritus sub Ruben transiit per Jordanem saliit in Bethlehem Saltu vincit hinnulos damas et capreolos super dromedarios velox madianeos Aurum de Arabia thus et myrrham de Saba tulit in ecclesia virtus asinaria Dum trahit vehicula multa cum sarcinula illius mandibula dura terit pabula Cum aristis, hordeum comedit et carduum triticum ex palea segregat in area Amen dicas, asine Iam satur ex gramine amen, amen itera aspernare vetera

From Eastern parts A donkey came, Strongest and handsome, Best for burdens. Hey, Sir Ass, hey! Here among the hills of Schechem Now nursed below the Red Sea, He went across the Jordan, Bounded into Bethlehem. In leaping, he beats the mules, Fallow deer, and roes. He is above the camels, The swift Median camels. Gold from Arabia, Incense and myrrh from Saba, Donkey-strength brought among the congregation. While he drags carts With many a little bundle, This donkey’s jaws Grind tough food. He devours barley, awns-and-all, and thistles; He separates the wheat from the chaff On the threshing floor. Say amen, Ass, Now full of grass! Amen, amen, again To spurn old things.

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Read more about the Feast of Asses here!