Now there's a thing. I've lived on the Wirral for most of my life and have long taken an interest in the history and folklore of the place. It's not an overly explored area, but there's several books which contain commentaries on pace egging and souling and such, and I've had a description of a May Queen ceremony from my mother, who used to live in Birkenhead. But this is the first I've heard of a Birkenhead Wassail Song!

Richard. Do you have any idea whereabouts in Birkenhead the song was collected? Also, whether Mrs Haigh and Miss Kelk were actually from Birkenhead, or had they moved there from some other part of the country and brought the song with them?