| Yorkshire Wassail
1.We've been a -while a wandering
Amongst the leaves so green.
But now we come a wassailing
So plainly to be seen,
For it's Christmas time, when we travel far and near;
May god bless you and send you a happy New Year.
2.
We are not daily beggars
That beg from door to door;
We are your neighbors children,
For we've been here before;
For it's, etc.
4.
Call up the butler of this house,
Likewise the mistress too,
And all the little children
That round the table go;
For it's, etc.
3.
We've got a little purse;
Made of leathern ratchin skin;
We want a little of your money
To line it well within;
For it's, etc.
5.
Bring us out a table
And spread it with a cloth,
Bring us out a mouldy cheese
And some of your Christmas loaf;
For it's, etc.
6.
Good master and good mistress,
While you're sitting by the fire,
Pray think of us poor children
That's wandered in the mire;
For it's, etc.
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Sixteenth Century Wassail
About 1536
Wassail, wassail, sing we
In worship of Christ’s nativity.
Now joy be to the Trinity,
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
That one God is in Trinity,
Father of heaven, of mightes most.
And joy to the Virgin pure
That ever kept her undefiled
Grounded in grace, in heart full sure,
And bare a child as maiden mild.
Bethlehem and the star so shen,
That shone three kinges for to guide,
Bear witness of this maiden clean;
The kinges three offered that tide.
And shepherds heard, as written is,
The joyful song that there was sung:
Gloria in excelsis!
With angel’s voice it was out rung.
Now joy be to the blessedful child,
And joy be to his mother dear;
Joy we all of that maiden mild,
And joy have they that make good cheer.
Wassail, wassail, wassail, sing we
In worship of Christ’s nativity.
-Rickert, Edith, Ancient English Chgristmas Carols
MCCCC to MDCC, London 1928
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The Apple Tree Wassail
Old apple tree, we'll wassail thee,
And hoping thou wilt bear.
The Lord does know where we shall be
To be merry anither year.
To blow well and to bear well,
And so merry let us be;
Let ev'ry man drink up his cup
And health to the apple tree.
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APPLE-TREE WASSAIL
II
Lily white lily white lily white pin
Please to come down and let us come in. Lily white lily white lily
white smock Please to come down and
pull back the lock.
FOR IT"S our wassail, jolly wassail;
joy come to our jolly wassail.
How well they may bloom, how well they
may bear, That we may have apples and cider next year.
Master and mistress, oh are you within?
Please to come down and let us come in.
FOR IT"S our wassail, jolly wassail;
joy come to our jolly wassail.
How well they may bloom, how well they
may bear, That we may have apples and cider next year.
There was an old farmer that had but
one cow And how to milk her, he didn't know how. He put his
old cow all in his old barn And a little
more liquor won't do us know harm.
Harm, me boys, harm; Harm, me boys, harm;
A little more liquor won't do us know harm.
Lily white lily white lily white pin
Please to come down and let us come in. Lily white lily white lily
white smock Please to come down and
pull back the lock.
FOR IT"S our wassail, jolly wassail;
joy come to our jolly wassail.
How well they may bloom, how well they
may bear, That we may have apples and cider next year.
FOR IT"S our wassail, jolly wassail;
joy come to our jolly wassail. -The Watersons
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Let every man
take off his hat
Let every man take off his hat
And shout out to th'old apple tree
Old apple tree we wassail thee
And hoping thou will bear.
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Wassail, Out of
the Milk Pail
About 1548
John Bale (King John)
Wassail, wassail, out of the
milk pail,
Wassail, wassail as white as my nail,
Wassail, wassail, in snow, frost and hail,
Wassail, wassail, that much doth avail,
Wassail, wassail, that never will fail.-1550
-Rickert, Edith,
Ancient English Chgristmas Carols MCCCC to MDCC, London 1928
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Wassail, all over
the Town,
Wassail, Wassail, all over the town,
Our bread it is white and ale it is brown;
Our bowl it is made of the green maple tree;
In the Wassail bowl we'll drink unto thee.
Here's a health to the ox and to his right eye,
Pray God send our master a good Christmas pie,
A good Christmas pie as e'er I did see.
In the Wassail bowl we'll drink unto thee.
Here's a health to the ox and to his right horn,
Pray God send our master a good crop of corn,
A good crop of corn as e'er I did see,
In the Wassail bowl we'll drink unto thee.
Here's a health to the ox and to his long tail,
Pray God send our master a good cask of ale,
A good cask of ale as e'er I did see,
In the Wassail bowl we'll drink unto thee.
Come, butler, come fill us a bowl of the best;
Then I pray that your soul in heaven may rest;
But if you do bring us a bowl of the small,
May the Devil take butler, bowl and all!
Then here's to the maid in the lily white smock,
Who tripp'd to the door and slipp'd back the lock;
Who tripp'd to the door and pull'd back the pin,
For to let these jolly Wassailers walk in.
- - Ricket, Edith, Ancient English
Christmas Carols., 1914.p. 249.
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Here we Come A-wassailing
Here we come a-wassailing
Among the leaves so green,
Here we come a wand'ring,
So fair to be seen.
Chorus
Love and joy come to you,
And to your wassail too,
And God bless you and send you a happy new year,
And God send you a happy new year.
We are not daily beggars
Who beg from door to door,
But we are neighbor's children
Whom you have seen before.
Chorus
We have a little purse
Made of ratching leather skin;
We want some of your small change
To line it well within.
Chorus
God bless the Master of this house,
Likewise the Mistress too;
And all the little children
That round the table go.
Chorus
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Gloucestershire Wassail
Melody -
Wassail! wassail! all over the town,
Our toast it is white and our ale it is brown;
Our bowl it is made of the white maple treel
With the wassailing bowl, we'll drink to thee.
2. Here's to our horse, and to his right ear,
God send our measter a happy new year:
A happy new year as e'er he did see,
With my wassailing bowl I drink to thee.
3. So here is to Cherry and to his right cheek
Pray God send our master a good piece of beef
And a good piece of beef that may we all see
With the wassailing bowl, we'll drink to thee.
4. Here's to our mare, and to her right eye,
God send our mistress a good Christmas pie;
A good Christmas pie as e'er I did see,
With my wassailing bowl I drink to thee.
5. So here is to Broad Mary and to her broad horn
May God send our master a good crop of corn
And a good crop of corn that may we all see
With the wassailing bowl, we'll drink to thee.
6. And here is to Fillpail and to her left ear
Pray God send our master a happy New Year
And a happy New Year as e'er he did see
With the wassailing bowl, we'll drink to thee.
7. Here's to our cow, and to her long tail,
God send our measter us never may fail
Of a cup of good beer: I pray you draw near,
And our jolly wassail it's then you shall hear.
8. Come butler, come fill us a bowl of the best
Then we hope that your soul in heaven may rest
But if you do draw us a bowl of the small
Then down shall go butler, bowl and all.
9. Be here any maids? I suppose here be some;
Sure they will not let young men stand on the cold stone!
Sing hey O, maids! come trole back the pin,
And the fairest maid in the house let us all in.
10. Then here's to the maid in the lily white smock
Who tripped to the door and slipped back the lock
Who tripped to the door and pulled back the pin
For to let these jolly wassailers in.
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Thames Head Wassailer's Song
Wassail, wassail, all over the town,
Our toast is white and our ale is brown,
Our bowl it is made of a maplin tree,
And so is good beer of the best barley.
Here's to the ox, and to his long horn;
May God send our maester a good crap o'corn!
A good crap o'corn, and another o'hay,
To pass the cold wintry winds away.
Here's to the ox, and to his right ear;
May God send our maester a happy New Year!
A happy New Year, as we all may see,
With our wassailing bowl we will drink unto thee,
Here's to old Jerry, and to her right eye;
May God send our mistress a good Christmas pie!
A good Christmas pie, as we all may see,
And a wassailing bowl we will drink unto thee.
Here's to old Boxer and to his long tail;
I hope that our maester'll hae n'er a 'oss vail!
N'er a 'oss vail, as we all may see,
And a wassailing bowl we will drink unto thee.
Come pretty maidens--I suppose there are some!
Never let us poor young men stand on the cold stone;
The stones they are cold, and our shoes they are thin,
The fairest maid in the house let us come in!
Let us come in, and see how you do.
Maid:
Yes, if you will, and welcome too!
Here's to the maid, and the rosemary tree,
The ribbons are wanted and that you can see;
The ribbons are wanted, and that you can see,
With our wassailing bowl we will drink unto thee.
Now, boteler, come, fill us a bowl o' the best,
And we hope that thy sowl in heaven may rest;
But if you do bring us a bowl o' the small,
Then down shall go boteler, bowl and all,
Bowl and all, bowl and all;
Then down shall go boteler, bowl and all.
Now, master and mistress, if you are within,
Send down some of your merry, merry men,
That we may eat and drink beforethe clock strikes ten,
Our jolly wassail;
When joy comes unto our jolly wassail.
-Source: Alfred Williams, Folk -Songs of the Upper Thames.,
Duckworth and co., London,1923.
p.116-117.
Williams Wrote:
"I have named this the "Thames Head Wassailer's Song". because I ahve
not heard it except around
the Thames source. It has been called the "Gloucestershire Wassailing
Song." though it seemsto have been quite
as popular in North Wilts as in Gloucestershire especially at Brinksworth,
Somerford, Oaksey, Aston Keynes,
and Cricklade. The bowl is variously said to have been made of
a sycamore, maplin, and maypoling tree,
and there are other minor differences in the current versions. Copy
obtained of "Wassail" Harvey, Cricklade, and E.
Smart, Oakse, Wilts." p.116.
The Waysailing Bowl
Oh, waysail oh, waysail all over the town.
Our pledge it is white our ale it is brown.
And our bowl it is made of the best mottling tree.
To my waysailing bowl I'll bring unto thee.
Now here's health to my master and to his right eye
Pray God send our master a good Xmas pie,
And a good Xmas pie that we may all see
To my waysailing bowl I'll bring unto thee
Now here's health to my master and to his right eear.
Pray God send our master a happy New Year.
And an happy New Year that we may all see
To my waysailing bowl I'll bring unto thee.
Now, here's health to my master and to his right arm.
Pray God send our master a good crop of corn,
And a good crop of corn and another of hay
To pass the cold wintery winds away.
Now, here's health to my master and to his right hip
Pray God send our master a good flock of sheep,
And a good flock of sheep that we may all see
To my waysailing bowl I'll bring unto thee.
Now, here's health to my master and to his right leg
Pray God send our master a good fatted pig
And a good fatted pig that we may all see
To my waysailing bowl I'lll bring unot thee.
Now butler come fill up a bowl of your best.
I hope in Heaven your soul will rest,
But if that you should bring us a bowl of your smal
(small ale)
The down shall go butler and all and all.
There was an old woman she had but one cow
And how to maintain it she did not know how
She builded a barn to keep her cow warm,
And- I'll have to have more sider - will do us no harm.
-Recorded by Gwilyn Davies in the Royal Arms Stonehouse, Gloucestershire,
February 1979.
As sung by Billy Buckingham and others.
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Al Lloyd Wassail (Old Fox I Wassail?)
Here we come a-wassailing among the leaves so green,
Here we come a wandering so fairly to be seen.
Now is winter-time strangers travel far and near
And we wish you and send you a happy New Year
We hope that all your barley will prosper fine and grow,
So that you'll have plenty and a bit more to bestow,
We hope your wethers they grow fat and likewise all your
ewes,
And where they had one lamb we hope they will have two.
Bud and blossom, bud and blossom, bud and bloom and bear,
So we may have plenty and cider all next year.
Hatfuls and in capfuls and bushel-bags and all,
And the cider running out of every gutter-hole.
Down here in the muddy lane there sits an old red fox,
Starving and a-shivering and licking his old chops.
Bring us out your table and spread it if you please,
And give us hungry wassailers a bit of bread and cheese.
I've a little purse and it's made of leather skin.
A little silver sixpences would line it well within,
Now is winter-time, strangers travel far and near,
And we wish you and send you a happy New Year
-pp96-97 A.L. Lloyd, Folksong in England.,Paladin, 1975.
Watersons= "Here we come a-wassailing"
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sound file
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Old Fox Wassail 2
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Down in the old lane there sits and old fox,
A-mounching and licking his dirty old chops.
Shall we go catch him my boys if we can?
Ten thousand to one if we catch him or none.
Catch im or none, catch him or none,
Ten thousand to one if we catch him or none.
Wassail, wassail all over the town,
Our cup it is white and our ale it is brown.
The great dog of Langport has burnt off his tail,
And this is the night we go singing wassail,
I will go home to old mother Joan,
And tell her to put on the big marrow bone.
Boil it, an boil it, and skim off the scum,
And we will have porridge when we do go home.
Home my boys, home, home my boys home,
And we will have porridge when we do go home.
Wassail, wassail all over the town
Our cup it is white and our ale it is brown
Spoken:
Bud, blossom, bloom and bear,
Ready to tear,
So that we shall have apples and cider next year,
At-fuls, cap-fulls, three-bushel bag-fuls,
Little heaps under the stairs,
Cider running out gutter-holes,
Hip, Hip, Hurrah.
-Noted by Cecil J. Sharp, Sung by Mr. Charles Ash, Crowcombe, Somerset,
Sept. 15th, 1908, Journal of the Folk Song Scoiety, B 1914-16, #18,
Jan. 1914, 11. Wassail Song, Second Version.,pp. 28-30.
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Cornish Wassail I
Can Wassel (Wassail Song)
This is the version (with chorus) recorded by Pete Kennedy as can
Wassel or Wassail Song.
#87, p. 214 in Folksongs of Britain and Ireland.,
Peter Kennedy et. al. eds.,Oak,London,1984.
This song has a tune similar to that for Wassails Collected by Cecil
Sharp: Trenerry click here
For the midi click here
Another midi click here
Now Christmas is comen
And New Year begin
Pray open your doors
And let us come in.
Chorus:
With our wassail, wassail,
Wassail, wassail,
And joy come with our jolly wassail.
2. O Master and Mistress
Sitting down by the fire
While we poor wassail boys
Are traveling the mire.
Chorus:
3. This ancient house
We will kindly salute
It is an old custom
You need not dispute.
Chorus:
4. We are here in this place,
Orderly we stand
We're the jolly wassail boys
With a bowl in our hands.
Chorus:
5. We hope that your apple trees
Will prosper and bear
And bring forth good cider
When we come next year.
Chorus:
6. We hope that your barley
Will prosper and grow
That you may have plenty
And some to bestow.
Chorus:
7. Good Mistress and Master
How can you forbear
Come fill up out bowl
With cider or beer.
Chorus:
8. Good Mistress and Master
Sitting down at your ease
Put your hands in your pockets
And give what you please.
Chorus:
9. I wish you a blessing
And a long time to live
Since you've been so free
And willing to give.
Chorus:
|
(Note:accents will be inserted shortly!)
Nadelek yu gyllys ha’n bledhen noweth ow-tos
Ygereugh darrajow h’abereveth gwren dow
Chorus:
Gans agan Wassel
Wassel, Wassel, Wassel
Lowena dh’agan jolyf Wassel
A vestres ha mester, owth-esdha yn chy
Rag dre lys ny mbyon y travalyn-ny
An chy coth ma hagar dynerghy ny a vyn
Ny res dheugh kedryna usadow us dhyn
Otta ny y’ n le-ma, yn un rew ny a sef
Mebyon Wassel fest jollyf gans cogen y’n luf
Ny a wayt agas avallennow bos spedys dhe dhon
Dry newodhow mos arta omma pan on
Ny a wayt agas barlys bos spedys yn tek
Ma ‘gas bo lanwes gans helder mar plek
A vestres ha mester, fatel yllough hepcor
Orth lenwel agan cogen a syder ha cor
A vestres ha mester, yn esedhys attes
Whyleugh agas pors ha reugh nebes, my a ‘th pys
Bennath warnough lemmyn ha bewnans fest hyr
Aban veugh mar guf h’agas helsys mar vur
|
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Wassails
Collected by Cecil Sharp
Trenerry
Wassail collected from William John Trenerry (77)
Redruth 10/5/13
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The tune for this song is similar to Can Wassel click
here
The mistress and master our wassail begin,
Pray open your door and let us come in,
With our wassail, wassail, wassail, wassail,
And joy come to our jolly wassail.
The mistress and master sitting down by the fire
While we poor wassailers are travelling in the mire,
Along with...
The mistress and master sitting down at their ease
Put their hands in their pockets and give what they please
With...
I hope that your apple trees will prosper and bear,
That we may have cider when we call next year
With...
And where you've one hogshead I hope you'll have ten,
So that we may have cider when we call again
With...
I hope that your barley will prosper and grow,
So that you may have some and enough to bestow
With...
Now we poor wassail boys growing weary and old,
Drop a small bit of silver into our bowl.
For...
I wish you a blessing and a long time to live
Since you've been so free and willing to give
With...
-This Song appears as "Wasail Song", 56, in: Canow Kernow., Ed.
Inglis Gundry.
it is listed as a Cornish Song with the following note: "On the tape-recording
which Peter Kennedy made Mr. Thomas
describes how"back in old times any gang of chaps would go out on New
year's Eve and scout the countryside, go from farm to farm". They usedto
"car a bowl with 'em-anything like a basin would do. Yoiu'd fill 'n up
with cider or beer, then you'd drink arond, fill'n up again". He
was "out over Helford River one night wassailing-came home four o'clock
in the morning". He breaks into song agai: "Come fill up the bowl with
cider and beer." and then ermarks:"You can add on any words you mind to."
The date given is: 1956 Sung by Joe Thomas, Constantine, Helston, 22 Nov.
1956.
For notation click
here
Wassail Collected from William T Passmore (45) Camborne
9/5/13
Tre's the master and the missus sitting down by the fire
While we poor wassailers are out in the mire,
'Long with our wassail, wassail, wassail, wassail, wassail,
And may joy come to our jolly wassail.
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Cornish Wassail II:
Carol for the Twelfth Day
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Sweet master of the habitation
With my mistress be so kind
As to grant an invitation
If we may this favor find
To be now invited in
Then with mirth we will begin.
Happy sweet and pleasant songs which unto this time belongs.
Chorus
Let every loyal honest soul
Contribute to the wassail bowl.
So may you still enjoy the blessing
Of a loving virtuous wife,
Riches, honour still possessing
With a long and happy life,
Living in prosperity
Then let generosity
Always be maintained I pray.
Don’t forget the good old way.
Before the season is departed
In your presence we appear,
Therefore soon be noble hearted
To afford som dainty cheer
Freely let us have it now
Since the season doth allow.
What the house doth now afford
Should be plac’d upon the board
Chorus
Whether it be roast beef or fowl
And liquour well the wassel bowl.
For now it is a time of leisure,
Then to those that kindness show
May they have wealth, peace and pleasure
And the spring of bounty flow
To enrich them while they live
That they may afford to give,
To maintain the good old way
Many a long and happy day
Chorus
Let every loyal honest soul
Contribute to the wassail bowl.
You worthy are to be commended
I in this you will not fail.
Now our song is almost ended
Fill our bowl with nappy ale.
Then we’ll drink a full carouse
To the master of this house
Aye and to our mistress dear
Wishing both a happy year,
In peace and love without controul
Who brought Joy to our wasel bowl.
-No. 37 from the MS belonging to Miss. Minnie Davies Gilbert and Mrs.
Patience Harding, great granddaughters of the original collector. The MS
of Cornish Carols wascompiled for Davies Gilbert by John Hutchens about
1826, as cited in: Canow Kernow., ed. Inglis Gundry, The Federation of
Old Cornwall Societies, 1966. Pp.18-19.
For notation
click here
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Cornish Wassail
III
From the Baring Gould Collection (three Versions)
Version A
for midi sound click here
(also known as the Grampound Wassail)
1 Now here at this house we first shall begin
To drink the King's health which a custom has been
Now unto the Master we'll drink his good health
We hope he may prosper in virtue and wealth
With our wassail! Wassail! Wassail
Wassail and joy come to our jolly wassail
2 Now here at your door we do orderly stand
Our jolly wassail and our hats in our hand
We do wish a good health to the master and dame
To the children and servants we wish it the same
3 In the friendliest manner this house we salute
That it is an old custom we need not dispute
O ask not the reason from hence it did spring
For we very well know 'tis an ancient old thing
4 Now for this good liquor to us that you bring
We lift up our voices we merrily sing
That all good householders may continue still
To provide the brown liquor our bowl for to fill
5 We hope that your barley will prosper and grow
That you may have barley and beer to bestow
And where you have one bushel we hope you'll have ten
That you may have beer against we come again
6 We hope that your orchards may blossom and bear
That you may have cider against the next year
That where you've one hogshead we hope you'll have ten
That you may have cider when we come again
7 We wish you great plenty and long may you live
Because you are willing and free for to give
To our wassail so cheerful, our wassail so bold
Long may you live happy, be lusty and old
8 Now neighbours and strangers you ever shall find
The wassailers courteous, obliging and kind
We hope our civility you will approve
With a piece of small silver in token of love
9 A welcome kind Sir as we merrily meet
With our jolly wassail as we pass up the street
O welcome kind Sir, if it please you to stop
A piece of small silver in our bowl for to drop
10 Now jolly old Christmas is passing away
He's posting off from us, and this the last day
That we shall enjoy long 'o you to abide
So farewell, Old Christmas, a merry good tide
11 Now jolly old Christmas, thou welcomest guest
Thou from us are parting which makes us look wisht
For all the twelve days are now come to their end
And this the last day of the season we spend
12 Now for this good liquor, your cider, your beer
And for the fair kindness that we have had here
We return you our thanks and shall still bear in mind
How you have been bountiful, loving and kind
13 Now for the great kindness that we did receive
We return you our thanks, and we now take our leave
From this present evening we bid you adieu
Until the next year and same season ensue
Sent by Jno Barrett, 30, Lemon St, Truro. "At last I am able to
send you the Cornish Wassail song, which I promised you a twelvemonth agone.
Mr JJ Mountford, the organist of St John's church has got the two versions
of the music, one from the old man from whom I got the words, but I do
not know from whence he obtained the other. Michael Nancarrow from
whom air and words were taken is a native of Grampound and is now 73 years
old. He has been singing the song for fifty years, and learnt it
from Wm Griffin and Rd Darker, old men who have been dead near twenty years.
The words I send have been known in this neighbourhood as the 'Grampound
'song, being distinct from the 'Tregoney' and other versions. The
first three verses are usually sung outside the house and, before the fourth
verse is sung, some liquor is supplied. The singers carry a bowl
into which all liquor given is poured, and when they leave the home they
usually carry some away in case they should meet anyone on their way to
the next house. Should they do so the ninth verse is sung; verses
10 and 11 are only sung on Twelfth Day
Version B
1 Wassail, wassail all round the town
For the ale is white and the ale is brown
For 'tis our wassail, and 'tis your wassail
And 'tis joy come to our jolly wassail
2 The cup is made of the ashen tree
And the ale is made of the best barley
3 The great dog of Langport burnt his tail
The night that we went singing wassail
4 O maid, fair maid in holland smock
Come ope the door and turn the lock
5 O maid, fair maid with golden (tag)
Come ope the door, and show a pretty leg
6 O maister, mistress that sit by the fire
Consider us poor travellers in the mire
7 O maister, mistress if you do so please
Put out the brown loaf and the raw milk cheese
And then you shall see how happy we be
Somersetshire form taken down at Langport by C L Eastlake, Jan 1893
Version C
1 We stand at your door and we first shall begin
To drink the Queen's health as the custom has been
And unto the master we wish a good health
And hope he may prosper in virtue and wealth
To maintain our wassail, Wassail! Wassail! Wassail
And joy come to our jolly wassail
2 Now here at your doors we submissively stand
With our jolly wassail And our hats in hand
We wish perfect health to both master and dame
And children and servants we wish you the same
3 In a friendly manner the house we salute
(as version A - verse 3)
4 And to the old town the same thing do we wish
We hope all good folk will not take it amiss
For us true companions who never will fail
To call at your homes with our friendly wassail
5 Come fill our old jolly bowl up to the brim
Which ever stands garnished so neat and so trim
Sometimes crowned with laurel and sometimes with bay
According to custom we'll keep the old way
6 Methinks I can smile when I look at the bowl
That just now was empty again becomes full
By the hands of good people, long may they remain
And live and continue the same to maintain
7 Now for this good liquor which to us you bring
(as version A - verse 4)
8 Now for your good liquor, your cider and beer
(as version A - verse 10)
9 We wish you great plenty and long time to live
(as version A - verse 7)
10 O may all your barley both prosper and grow
(as version A - verse 5)
11 And now we will wish you one great blessing more
That you trees may bring forth an abundance of store
As much as their stocks and their branches can bear
That you may have plenty of cider next year
12 O may all your apple trees prosper and bear
(as version A - verse 6)
13 But jolly old Christmas the merry old guest
(as version A - verse 11)
14 Now neighbours and strangers you always will find
(as version A - verse 8)
15 And for the great kindness that we have received
(as version A - verse 13)
From an old printed copy at Fowey, as sung there 60 years ago, and still
sung
Vol 2 page 243 No 254
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A Wassail
Robin Redbreast Wassail
From the Baring Gould Collection
1 Gude Maister and Missus a zittin by the fire
Whilst we poor souls (Wassailers) Are dabblin in the mire
With our wassail! Our jolly wassail
And joy come to our jolly wassail
2 Little robin redbreast has a fine head
Give us a cup of cider and we'll go to bed
With our wassail etc
3 Little Robin Redbreast as a fine wing
Give us of good zider and we'll begin to sing
With our wassail etc
4 Little Robin Redbreast has a fine leg
Give us of your zider that we be come to beg
With our wassail etc
5 Little Robin Redbreast has a fine toe
Give us of your zider and we'll begin to go
With our wassail etc
6 Your ale it is white, your beer it is brown
Your zider is the very best in all our town
With our wassail etc
7 Your gin it is brew'd from juniper free
Your gin is the best that ever can be
With our wassail etc
8 Then send out your man and let us come in
Give us of your zider and to sing we will begin
With our wassail etc
As sung at Jacobstow, Nth Cornwall, sent me by Mr Batchellor and as
heard from a man from (Mavis)?
No tune given
Vol 2 page 250 No 249
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West Cornwall Wassail
For the midi click here
O mistress, at your door our Wassail begins,
Pray open the door and let us come in,
Chorus: With our Wassail, Wassail, Wassail,Wassail,
And Joy come to our jolly Wassail
O Mistress, at your door we kindly salute,
For it is an old custom you cannot dispute,
O mistress and Master sitting down by the fire,
While we POOR Wassail-men are travelling thro' the mire,
O Mistress and Master, sitting down at your ease,
With their hands in their pockets to give what they please
Come young men and maidens, I pray you draw near;
Come fill up our bowl with some cider or beer,
You see how we'll smile at our flowing Bowl--
Just now it is empty, by and bye it'll be full,
I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,
A plenty of money and a barrel of beer.
I wish you a blessing and a long time to live
Because you're so free and so willing to give
I hope that your apples will prosper and grow
That you may have cider and a plenty to bestow,
I hope that your barley may prosper and grow,
That you may have beer and a plenty to bestow.
Well known in West Cornwall 50 or 60 years before publication in this
source. "The words which are an intersting commentaty on old Christmas
and New Year customs ,wer communicated (from an old MS and from personal
recollection), in 1912 by Mr. W. Dunstan of Carnon Downs, near Truro."-
Source The Cornish Song Book., (Lyver Canow Kernewek).,"Part
2. Carols and Sacred Music, Ralph Dunstan, Lodenek Press, Padstow, 1974..p.52.
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Malpas Wassail
Now the harvest being over
And Christmas drawing in
Please open your door
And let us come in
With our wassail
Wassail, wassail
And joy come to our jolly wassail
Here's the master and mistress
Sitting down by the fire
While we poor wassail boys
Do trudge through the mire
With our wassail
Wassail, wassail
And joy come to our jolly wassail
Here's the master and mistress
Sitting down at their ease
Put your hands in your pockets
And give what you please
With our wassail
Wassail, wassail
And joy come to our jolly wassail
This ancient awd house
We will kindly salute
It is your custom
You need not dispute
With our wassail
Wassail, wassail
And joy come to our jolly wassail
Here's the saddle and the bridle
They're hung upon the shelf
If you want any more
You can it sing yourself
With our wassail
Wassail, wassail
And joy come to our jolly wassail
Here's an health to the master
And a long time to live
Since you've been so kind
And so willing to give
With our wassail
Wassail, wassail
And joy come to
our jolly wassail
Sung by The Watersons on the For Pence and Spicy Ale
LP, re-released on the For Pence and Spicy Ale CD.
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SOMERSET WASSAIL
Wassail and wassail all over the town
The cup it is white and the ale it is brown
The cup it is made of the good ashen tree
And so is the malt of the best barley
For its your wassail and its our wassail
And its joy be to you and a jolly wassail
Oh master and missus, are you all within?
Pray open the door and let us come in
O master and missus a-sitting by the fire
Pray think on us poor travelers, a traveling in the mire
Oh where is the maid with the silver-headed pin
To open the door and let us come in
Oh master and missus, it is our desire
A good loaf and cheese and a toast by the fire
There was an old man and he had an old cow
And how for to keep her he didn't know how
He built up a barn for to keep his cow warm
And a drop or two of cider will do us no harm
The girt dog of Langport he burnt his long tail
And this is the night we go singing wassail
O master and missus now we must be gone
God bless all in this house until we do come again
For midi sound file and notation click
here
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here
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A Jolly Wassail-Bowl
Seventeenth Century
A jolly wassail-bowl,
A wassail of good ale,
Well fare the butler's soul,
That setteth this to sale,
Our Jolly wassail.
Good dame, here at your door,
Our wassail we begin;
We are all maidens poor,
We pray now let us in
With our wassail.
Our wassail we do fill
With apples and with spice,
Then grant us your good will
To taste here once or twice
Of our wassail,
If any maidens be
Here dwelling in this house,
They kindly will agree
Toi take a full carouse
Of our wassail.
But here they let us stand
All freezing in the cold;
Good master, your command
To enter and be bold
With our wassail.
Much joy unto this hall
With us is entered in;
Our master, first of all,
We hope will now begin
Of our wassail,
And after his good wife
Our spiced bowl will try;
The Lord prolong you life!
Good fortune we espy
For our wassail.
Some bounty from your hands,
Our wassail to maintain,
We'll buy no home nor lands
With that which we do gain
With our wassail
This is our merry night
Of choosing king and queen;
Then, be it your delight,
That something may be seen
In our wassail.
It is a noble part
To bear a liberal mind.
God bless our master's heart!
for here we comfort find
With our wassail.
And now we must be gone,
To seek out more good cheer;
Where bounty will be shown
As we have found it here
With our wassail.
Much joy betide them all,
Our prayers shall be still;
We hope and ever shall
For this your great good will
To our wassail.
- Ricket, Edith, Ancient English
Christmas Carols., 1914.p. 249.
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Kentucky Wassail
Wassail, wassail, all over the town,
Our cup is white and our ale is brown.
the cup is made from the old oak tree,
And the ale is made in Ken-tuck-y
So it's joy be to you and a jolly wassail!
Oh good man and good wife, are you within?
Pray lift the latch and let us come in.
We see you a-sitting at the boot o' the fire,
Not a-thinkin' of us in the mud and the mire.
So it's joy...
There was an old maid and she lived in a house,
And she had for a pet a tiny wee mouse,
Oh the house had a stove and the house was warm,
And a little bit of liquor won't do no harm.
So it's joy...
Oh a man in York drank his sack from a pail,
But all we ask is a wee wassail.
Oh, husband and wife, alack, we part,
God bless this house from the bottom of our heart,
So it's joy...
-- Source:Revels Songbook (ISBN 0-96408336-1-2) "collected by John Jacob
Niles, arranged by Marshall Barron,
"some stanzas are similar to the Somerset Wassail song.." ... shares elements
of the Gloucestershire Wassail.
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Awassail Awassail
Awassail awassail throughout
our town
our cup it is white and our
ale it is brown
our wassail is made of the good
ale and true
some nutmeg and ginger it's
the best we can brew
Fol the dol fol the dol di dol
fol the dol di dol fol the dol
di dee
fol the dairo fol the dardy
sing toorilido
our wassail is made of the elderberry
bough
and so my good neighbours we'll
drink unto thou
besides all honour you'll have
apples in store
pray let us come in for it's
cold by the door
there's a master and a mistress
sitting down by the fire
while we poor wassail boys do
wait in the mire
and so pretty maid with your
silver-headed pin
please open the door and let
us come in
we know by the moon that we are
not too soon
and we know by the sky that
we are not too high
we know by the stars that we
are not too far
and we know by the ground that
we are in sound
there's our wassail boys growing
weary and cold
drop a bit of small silver into
our old bowl
and if we're alive for another
new year
perhaps we may call and see
who do live here
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Steeleye Span Wassail
Lyrics
A-wassail, a-wassail throughout all the town
Our cup it is white and our ale it is brown
Our wassail is made of the good ale and cake
Some nutmeg and ginger, the best we could bake
Chorus
Fol dedol dol dedol Dol dedol
dol de dol
Fol de de ro Fol de da ri
Sing too ra li o
Our wassail is made of the elderberry bough
And so my good neighbors we'll drink unto thou
Besides all on earth, you have apples in store
Pray let us come in for it's cold by the door
Chorus
We hope that your apple trees prosper and bear
So that we may have cider when we call next year
And where you have one barrel we hope you'll have ten
So that we may have cider when we call again
Chorus
There's a master and a mistress sitting down by the fire
While we poor wassail boys stand here in the mire
Come you pretty maid with your silver headed pin
Pray open the door and let us come in
Chorus
It's we poor wassail boys so weary and cold
Please drop some small silver into our bowl
And if we survive for another new year
Perhaps we may call and see who does live here
Chorus
We know by the moon that we are not too soon
And we know by the sky that we are not too high
And we know by the star that we are not too far
And we know by the ground that we are within sound
Chorus
From Steeleye Span's third album Ten Man Mop or Mr. Reservoir Butler
Rides Again.
A live recording from The Forum, London on September 2, 1995
was released on the CD The
Journey.
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Treecat Wassail
We've been
a - while a - sne - ak - ing
A - mongst
your clus - ter stalk
But now we
come a - bond_ - ing
And that is
caus - ing talk
REFRAIN
For the Peop - le all can trav - el there and here
And no two - leg will see us for ma - ny a year
We are quite
craf - ty lurk - ers
That flit
from roof to roof
And we are
your cel - 'ry filch - ers
Though you
have - n't a - ny proof
We've got our
lit - tle car - ry nets
Wove out of
nat - 'ral* cord
We want all
of your cel - 'ry
But do not
say a word
Call out the
hun - ters of your clan
Like - wise
the sing - ers true
Your scouts
and your tool - mak - ers
Plan - ters
and kit - tens too
Fence 'round
your sprout - ing clus - ter stalk
And cov -
er it with glass
Ring it all
with trick - sy traps
And all of
that we'll pass
Good two -
leg males and fe - males
How - ev -
er you con - spire
You'll ne
- ver catch the Peop - le
Save with
your mind - glow's fire
? "natural" here is pronounced NATCH - rul
The Mad Irishman (sung more-or-less to the tune of Yorkshire Wassail,
as annotated
by R. Vaughan Williams in Eight Traditional English Carols, 1919)
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Oh, where is the maid
"Oh, where is the maid with the
silver-headed pin
To open the door and let us
come in?
O master and missus, it is our
desire,
A good loaf and cheese and a
toast by the fire."
Chorus
"For it's your wassail
And it's our wassail
And it's joy be to you and a
jolly wassail!"
The "silver-headed pin", which turns up in a lot of folk
songs, refers to a simple pin method of bolting a door.
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Gower Wassail I
For notation click
here
For midi sound click here
A wassail, a wassail, throughout all the town,
Our cup it is white and our ale it is brown.
CHORUS: Tol-de-rol-lol.
Our wassail it is made of a good ale and cake,
Some nutmeg and ginger, the best we could get.
Our bowl it is made of an elbury bough,
And now, my good master, I'll drink unto thou.
Besides all of that, we have apples in store,
Pray let us come in, for 'tis cold by the door.
We know by the moon that we are not too soon,
We know by the sky that we are not too high.
We know by the stars that we are not too far,
We know by the ground that we are within a sound.
We come on a design for to taste of your ale
Out of that li'l kinter keg that stands next to the wall
Now master and mistress, if you are within,
Pray send out your maid with a lily white skin
To open the door without more delay
Our time it is precious and we cannot stay.
You have brought us your wassail, that's very well known.
But we can assure you we've as good of our own.
And as for your wassail, we care not a pin
But for your good company you shall come in.
Now master and mistress, thanks to you we'll give
And for our jolly wassail, as long as we live.
Here's a health to Old Colley, with her crooked horn,
Pray God send our master a good crop of corn.
Both barley and oats, and all sorts of grain,
Pray God send our master a long life to reign.
And if we should live 'til another New Year,
Perhaps we may come and see who do live here.
- The earliest version of the Gower Wasssail? The Wassail Song in
Reverend J D Davies' A History Of West Gower, 1884.
(it is noted that it was sung on New Year's Eve.)
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GOWER WASSAIL II
For notation click
here
For midi sound click here
A-wassail, a-wassail throughout of this town
Our cup it is white and our ale it is brown
Our wassail is made of good ale and cake
Of nutmeg and ginger, the best we can bake
Al dal di dal di dal
Dal di dal di dal
Dal di dal di dee
Sing deero, sing daddy
Sing too ral di do
Our wassail is made of the el'berry bough
Although my good neighbors I'll drink unto thou
Besides all on earth, we have apples to store
Pray let us come in for its cold by the door
We know by the moon that we are not too soon
And we know by the sky that we are not too high
We know by the star that we are not too far
And we know by the ground that we are within sound
Now master and mistress let your company forbear
To fill up are wassail with you cider and beer
We want none of your pale beer, nor none of your small
But a drop of your kilderkin, that's next to the wall
Now master and mistress if you are within
Pray send out your maid with her lily-white skin
For to open the door without more delay
For our time it is precious and we cannot stay
You've brought your wassail, which is very well known
But I can assure you we've as good of our own
As for your jolly wassail, we care not one pin
But its for your good company we'll let you come in
Here's a health to our Cooley and her croo'ed horn
May God send her Master a good crop of corn
Of barley and wheat and all sorts of grain
May God send her Mistress a long life to reign
Now Master and Mistress, know you will give
Unto our jolly wassail as long as you live
And if we do life to another new year
We'll call in again just to see who lives here
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Edwin Ace Wassail
A wassail, a wassail, throughout all this town,
Our cup it is white and our ale it is brown.
Our wassail it is made of the good ale and cake,
Some nutmeg and ginger, the best we could bake.
CHORUS: Fol-de-rol, lol-de-dol-de-dol, lol-de-dol-de-dol, lol-de-dol-de-day,
Sung too-ra-li-addy, sing too-ra-li-ay.
Our wassail is made of an elberry bough,
Although, my good neighbour, we'll drink unto thou.
Besides all of that, we've apples in store,
Pray let us come in, for it's cold by the door.
We know by the moon that we are not too soon,
We know by the stars that we are not too far,
We know by the sky that we are not too high.
We know by the ground that we are within sound.
Now master and mistress, if you are within,
Pray send out your maid with the lilywhite skin
For to open the door without more delay
For our time it is precious and we cannot stay.
We're a company designed for to taste of your ale
Out of the kinker-gate that's next to the wall.
We want none of your small beer, nor none of your pale
But out of the kinker-keg that's next to the wall
.-recorded by Maud Karpeles, April 1928,from Mr Edwin Ace of Llangeneth
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Husk Wassail Song
Here we come a wassailing
Among the leaves so green,
Here we come a wandering
so fair to be seen
Our wassail cup is made
of the rosemary tree
And so is your beer
of the best barley
We are not daily beggars
Who beg from door to door,
But we are neighbors children
Whom you have seen before
Good Master and Mistress
As you sit by the fire,
Pray think of us poor children
Who are wandering in he mire
We have a little purse
Made of ratching leather skin
We want some of your small change
To line it well within
Call up the Buttler of this house.
Put on his golden ring.
Let him bring us a glass of beer and
the better we shall sing
Bring us out a table,
And spread it with a cloth;
Bring us out some mouldy cheese
And some of your Christmas loaf
God bless the Master of this house
likewise the Mistress too
And all the little children
That round the table go
And all your kin and kinfolk
That dwell both far and near
We wish a Merry Christmas
And happy New Year.
Chorus
Love and Joy come to you and to you your wassail too
And God Bless you and send you a Happy New Year
And God send you a Happy New Year
For midi sound file and notation click here
Husk, Song's of the Nativity, 1868 [1-8] & Ritson
Ancient Songs and Ballads, 1829 [8-9]
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Bring Us In Good Ale
1. Bring us in no brown bread, for that is
made of bran,
Nor bring us in no white bread, there therein is no game;
Chorus: Bring us in good ale, and bring us in
good ale;
For our Blessed Lady's sake, bring us in good ale.
2. Bring us in no beef, for there is many
bones,
But bring us in good ale, for that goes down at once;
And bring us in good ale.
3. Bring us in no bacon, for that is passing
fat,
But bring us in good ale, and give us enough of that;
And bring us in good ale.
4. Bring us in no mutton, for that is often
lean,
Nor bring us in no tripes, for they be seldom clean;
And bring us in good ale.
5. Bring us in no eggs, for there are many
shells,
But bring us in good ale, and give us nothing else;
And bring us in good ale.
6. Bring us in no butter, for therein are
many hairs;
Nor bring us in no pig's flesh, for that will make us boars;
And bring us in good ale.
7. Bring us in no puddings, for therein is
all God's good;
Nor bring us in no venison, for that is not for our blood;
And bring us in good ale.
8. Bring us in no capon's flesh, for that is
often dear;
Nor bring us in no duck's flesh, for they slobber in the mere;
And bring us in good ale.
-Ricket, Edith, Ancient English Christmas Carols.,
1914.
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The
Songs and the Tunes