“Here We Come A-Wassailing”

Description

"Here we come a-wassailing Among the leaves so green." Chorus: "Love and joy come to you And to you your wassail too, And God bless you and send you a happy new year." The singers remind the listeners that they are not beggars, and bless them

Notes

The custom of "wassailing" (going from house to house, usually on January 5, begging food, drink and hospitality) is mentioned as far back as the 12th century in England; similar rituals are found across the continent of Europe and in the United States. - (PJS)

"Wassail," incidentally, is from Old English "Wes hael," "Be hale/whole," i.e. "Be in good health."

To tell this wassail song from all the others (most if not all of which are lumped by Roud), consider either the first verse:

Here we come a-wassailing

Among the leaves so green,

Here we come a-wassailing

So fairly to be seen,

or the chorus, not met with in all versions:

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)

- RBW

References

1. Ritchie-SingFam, p. 166, "Wassail Song" (1 fragmentary text, 1 tune)
2. OBC 15+16, "Wassail Song" (2 texts, 2 tunes)
3. Silber-FSWB, p. 379, "Wassail Song" (1 text)
4. DT, WASSCOME* WASSBUD
5. ADDITIONAL: Ian Bradley, _The Penguin Book of Carols_ (1999), #33, "Here We Come A Wassailing" (1 text)
6. Roud #209
7. BI, JRDF166