So the general consensus seems to be that the TUNE was first noted in Welsh tune books so may very well be Welsh; it is @ least as old as 1781, might be rather older but probably not SEVERAL centuries older.

I can't seem to understand if it was first notated w/ words or not- when did these Welsh words first appear? I gather that there may have been more than one set of lyrics in Welsh, but the ones given by Liz the Squeak seem to translate to something about bills, Snowden, & people who are too rude to be sociable on New Year's day? Whereas the rhymed "translation" relates primarily to the vaguaries of the New Year & how best to greet it?

Meanwhile, English words appeared in an American publication in 1881, which has led some people to believe that the song might be American (?). These also mention New Year, but have more to do w/ merrymaking & general decoration than the Welsh.

Finally, the one thing that seems to be common, The New Year, is also a little vague, because the start of the Celtic New Year was what is now called Hallowe'en. If the song is TRULY ancient, that would put the time of revelry MUCH earlier, which seems to conflict w/ the images of cold & snow (I'm not sure about Welsh weather in late October, but I believe it's still more temperate there than here, & even here we don't usually get that kind of cold until November). So, considering the song is probably a little younger than THAT, the New Year to which it is referring SHOULD be the same date we celebrate today.

If you can clarify or correct any of these points, PLEASE do so. I really would like to understand, as much as possible, what IS known about this song. It's a favourite of mine. ;-)