To Thread - Forum Home

The Mudcat Café TM
https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=16257
5 messages

Lyr/Tune Req: Y Wassael / The Wassail (Welsh)

16 Dec 99 - 07:19 PM (#150550)
Subject: for: Y Wassael (welsh:the wassail)&tune
From: cbladey@mail.bcpl.net

This is on Nutmeg and Ginger by Iona Y Wassael (the wassail Welsh)

I seek lyrics and tune...many thanks!

Conrad cbladey@mail.bcpl.net


18 Dec 99 - 07:56 PM (#151337)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: for: Y Wassael (welsh:the wassail)&t
From: Susan of DT

Conrad - While I have no doubt that wassail custom spread, I thought wassail was originally SAXON, rather than Celtic and thus the preponderance of wassail songs from southeast England.


26 Dec 99 - 10:54 AM (#154275)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: for: Y Wassael (welsh:the wassail)&t
From: Conrad Bladey cbladey@mail.bcpl.net

Lots of things happen with wassail.

First of all it is not just one thing it is four.

1.Linguistically it is a toast derived from the languages of scandanavia.

2.It is an ancient ritual of blessing fruit trees generally apples.

3.It is one of many pan european and pan british isles door to door customs (see al lloyd)

4.Wassail in the hall is a Loving cup tradition wherein inside a hall the loving cup is passed from one to another with toasts and kisses being exchanged. (sometimes the cup has 12 handles and ribbons...)

So take your pick.... sure the linquistic origins are scandanavian and the first use recorded in the british isles involved the saxon king vortigean (sp?) but.... the customs of wassailing themselves seem to be more ancient than any saxon influence.

Take a look at my pages for more on this topic:

http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/5567/wassail.html

Enjoy!

Conrad


02 Jan 00 - 07:10 PM (#157130)
Subject: Lyr Add: Y WASSAEL (Welsh)
From: Sian

I know it's late (only just got home from holiday) but it doesn't seem that anyone has sent you the requested words. Did you want...

O dyma enw'r feinwen
Sydd yn codi gyda'r seren
(X 2)
A hon yw'r washael fawr ei chlod
Sy'n caru bod yn llawen.

Which was often followed by...

Hyd yma bu'n cerdded
Gyfeillion Diniwed,
(X 2)
A phawb yn ymddiried cael canu.

Os eithoch yn gynnar
I'r wely'n ddialar
(x 2)
O codwch i'n hawddgar roesawi.

These two were collected by Maria Jane Williams in the last century and there are full historical notes in the Welsh Folk Song Society reprint of her collection *Ancient National Airs of Gwent and Morgannwg*.

Hope this is helpful?

Sian


05 Jan 00 - 10:20 PM (#158774)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: for: Y Wassael (welsh:the wassail)&t
From: Conrad Bladey cbladey@mail.bcpl.net

Thanks for the Welsh verses. I am not a welsh speaker so translations will be of some importance. The goal of the Wassail project is to pull together as many wassail songs as can be located. I would be interested in any wassail song both in welsh and english and any relevant historical references.

Many Many thanks in advance for your assistance. This project appears to near completion.

Conrad