The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #41897   Message #1666316
Posted By: nutty
10-Feb-06 - 03:45 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Waits Wassail or Leeds Waits Wassail
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Waits Wassail or Leeds Waits Wassail
There's also this . Collected by FW MOORMAN and published in his 'YORKSHIRE DIALECT POEMS' 1916/17

A Christmas Wassail(1)

Here we coom a-wessellin(2)
   Among the leaves so green,
An' here we coom a-wanderin'
   So fair as to be seen.

   Chorus-
      An' to your' wessel
      An' to jolly wessel,
      Love an' joy be to you
      An' to your wessel-tree.

The wessel-bob(3) is made
   O' rosemary tree,
An' so is your beer
   O' the best barley.
      An' to your wessel, etc.

Weare not beggars' childeren
   That begs from door to door,
But we are neighbours' childeren
   That has been here before.
      An' to your wessel, etc.

We have got a little purse
   Made i' ratchin(4) leather skin,
An' we want a little money
   To line it well within.
      An' to your wessel, etc.

Bring us out your table
   An' spread it wi' a cloth;
Bring us out your mouldy cheese
   Likewise your Christmas loaf.
      An' to your wessel, etc.

God bless the master o' this house,
   Likewise the mistress too;
An' all the little childeren
   That round the table go.
      An' to your wessel, etc.

Good master an' good' misteress,
   While you're sittin' by the fire
Pray, think of us poor childeren
   That's wanderin' i' the mire.
      An' to your wessel, etc.

1. From Easther and Lees, Almondbury and Huddersfield Glossary
(English Dialect Society Publications, vol. 39, pp. xvii.-xviii).
2. Wassailing. 3. Wassail-bough. 4. Urchin, hedgehog.