Yorkshire Wassail

English Traditional

See generally Wassailing - Notes On The Songs

MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF

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.

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.

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.

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.

Note: The R. Vaughan Williams arrangement can be obtained from Stainer & Bell, Ltd., London, either as a part of Eight Traditional English Carols or separately as The Yorkshire Wassail Song. The notes to that carol state the text completed from another Yorkshire version sung to another tune. This melody and text from singers (names not known) near Hooton Roberts, Yorkshire. For another version of the text with a different tune, see English Country Songs.

 

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