The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #14044   Message #3764118
Posted By: Charmion
09-Jan-16 - 07:25 PM
Thread Name: Greensleeves tune in New Year song
Subject: RE: Greensleeves tune in New Year song
The instrument of torture is a "rack", without the w.

"Wrack" as in "wrack and ruin" is a variant of "wreck".

In the song, I think it means that the arrival of New Year's Day means that Christmas is drawing to a close.