Yorkshire Dialect Poems (1673-1915) and traditional poems

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.