Preface
Wassailing was a termed used to denote the act of caroling door-to-door and wishing good health to each listener, instead of begging for alms. Like many Christmas and New Year carols, there are a number of associated adaptations of the words. One version can be found on the manuscript specified in The New Oxford Book of Carols.
History of Here We Come A-Wassailing
Every so often labeled as Here We Come A-caroling, Here We Come A-wassailing is a time-honored English carol for Christmas and New Year written during the 1850’s. The aged English wassail carol is a peaceful gesture English people practiced to allow good tidings to spread across every single home in the community.
Some very popular artists that have performed their renditions of this song are Perry Como and the Ray Charles Singers, The King's Singers, the Ray Conniff singers, The Watersons, Pete Coe, John Kirkpatrick, Kate Rusby, the beloved cartoon Alvin and the Chipmunks and an instrumental version was also featured on the "A Canadian Brass Christmas" album.
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Here We Come A-Wassailing Lyrics
Here we come a-wassailing
Among the leaves so green,
Here we come a-wand'ring
So fair to be seen.
Love and joy come to you,
And to you your wassail, too,
And God bless you, and send you
A Happy New Year,
And God send you a Happy New Year.
We are not daily beggers
That beg from door to door,
But we are neighbors' children
Whom you have seen before
Love and joy come to you,
And to you your wassail, too,
And God bless you, and send you
A Happy New Year,
And God send you a Happy New Year.
Good master and good mistress,
As you sit beside the fire,
Pray think of us poor children
Who wander in the mire.
Love and joy come to you,
And to you your wassail, too,
And God bless you, and send you
A Happy New Year,
And God send you a Happy New Year
We have a little purse
Made of ratching leather skin;
We want some of your small change
To line it well within.
Love and joy come to you,
And to you your wassail, too,
And God bless you, and send you
A Happy New Year,
And God send you a Happy New Year.
Bring us out a table
And spread it with a cloth;
Bring us out a cheese,
And of your Christmas loaf.
Love and joy come to you,
And to you your wassail, too,
And God bless you, and send you
A Happy New Year,
And God send you a Happy New Year.
God bless the master of this house,
Likewise the mistress too;
And all the little children
That round the table go.
Love and joy come to you,
And to you your wassail, too,
And God bless you, and send you
A Happy New Year,
And God send you a Happy New Year.
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Here We Come A-Wassailing Youtube Videos
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Here We Come A-Wassailing Music Sheets
Music Sheet Source: 8notes.com
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Here We Come A-Wassailing Chords
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