I learned this at my London primary school (Wembley Manor Junior Mixed) in 1965. I am singing it at tonight's wassail at St Sidwells in Exeter. Many thanks Kate for a great rendition.
Fabulous, saw Kate and the band on sat 10 Dec 16, they sang this song, couldn't keep my feet still, it's a great song, lyrics and music, what a brill band, Kate's voice is stunning. Rock-on.
@@vivianeaerts7566 I had CZcams translate it for me already, actually, that was what I meant. Sorry if that wasn't clear before. But I'm so glad you came back (after seven years!!!). ^___^ And thank you for *your* translation as well.
Wassail (Old English wæs hæl, literally 'be you healthy') refers both to the salute 'Waes Hail' and to the drink of wassail, a hot mulled cider traditionally drunk as an integral part of wassailing, an ancient southern English drinking ritual intended to ensure a good cider apple harvest the following year. But more generally it means 'drinking and dancing and making merry'. HAMLET: The king doth wake tonight and takes his rouse, Keeps wassail and the swaggering upspring reels, And, as he drains his drafts of Rhenish down, The kettle-drum and trumpet thus bray out The triumph of his pledge.
@@YorkyOne Thank you. I was going to say Saxon. Saxon (one of the versions of old German) is where a considerable portion of Old English actually comes from. As you will probably know.
The Saxon king's daughter Rowena said. "Lord King, waes hael." Is how the story traditionally goes. (Don't ask me "what story". Look it up. I'm sure it's probably online somewhere.) 👸🍺🍻🍺🥂🍾
There are two kinds of Wassailing traditions: The old custom of honouring the fruit trees with sacrifices and libations, to encourage a good crop, and what seems to be a later adaptation to a rather disreputable Christian practice that seems very much in keeping with morris and mumming traditions. Julia Richards describes the latter (which is the type in this carol) rather well: "What many people may not know about Christmas caroling is that in the middle ages, caroling was somewhat reminiscent of modern day trick-or-treating. Peasants wore festive garments and wandered door-to-door through wealthy neighbourhoods, singing songs in exchange for goodies. On a more sinister note, wassailing was commonly associated with rowdy gangs of teenagers who would enter the homes of their wealthy neighbours and demand free food and drink (specifically, a hot mulled cider called "wæs hæl," a name derived from the Anglo-Saxon toast "wæs þu hæl," meaning "be in good health"). If the householder refused, he was often cursed and his manor vandalized. It is unknown how far back this tradition goes, but it likely predates the Norman conquest of 1066...Fortunately for the the feudal lords of the 11th century, toilet paper had not yet been invented. Love and joy come to you, and to you your wassail too!"
This is a really cute version and I like it in her voice. The only thing that would make it even cuter would be if some children would join in. Merry Christmas early. ^___^
I learned this at my London primary school (Wembley Manor Junior Mixed) in 1965. I am singing it at tonight's wassail at St Sidwells in Exeter. Many thanks Kate for a great rendition.
The vocals in this give me chills. Love it.
che bello!! what a stupendous lovely voice!
Fabulous, saw Kate and the band on sat 10 Dec 16, they sang this song, couldn't keep my feet still, it's a great song, lyrics and music, what a brill band, Kate's voice is stunning. Rock-on.
A perfect version! What a lovely voice
Thank you for this song! It makes me soooooooooo happy!
Onze kleinkinderen zongen het voor onze kerst. Met de papa op gitaar voor de begeleiding. Just perfect !!!
That's Dutch.
I don't speak it at all but know just a few words.
Recognized "op" and "voor".
Merry Christmas from around the world. 🌍🎄🎅🤶🦌🎄⛄
Sinterklaas. 🎅🤶
I just learned several more words of Dutch from this post.
Including "grandchildren".
So thank you.
@@KittyStarlight Our grandchildren sang it for us on Christmasday. With their father and his guitar. Just perfect !!
@@vivianeaerts7566 I had CZcams translate it for me already, actually, that was what I meant.
Sorry if that wasn't clear before.
But I'm so glad you came back (after seven years!!!). ^___^
And thank you for *your* translation as well.
Wassail, a tradition that deserves traditional music and traditional cider - such as from Masham Cider Press
Wassail (Old English wæs hæl, literally 'be you healthy') refers both to the salute 'Waes Hail' and to the drink of wassail, a hot mulled cider traditionally drunk as an integral part of wassailing, an ancient southern English drinking ritual intended to ensure a good cider apple harvest the following year.
But more generally it means 'drinking and dancing and making merry'.
HAMLET: The king doth wake tonight and takes his rouse,
Keeps wassail and the swaggering upspring reels,
And, as he drains his drafts of Rhenish down,
The kettle-drum and trumpet thus bray out
The triumph of his pledge.
From the old Norse.Or so it says in my dictionary
Peter Day It's very possible we're both right. "Old Norse" pre-dates the medieval English that I was referring to. :-)
@@USERNAMEfieldempty
Old English the language of the Anglo Saxons actually predates Old Norse. 'Waes hael' is Anglo Saxon.
@@YorkyOne Thank you.
I was going to say Saxon.
Saxon (one of the versions of old German) is where a considerable portion of Old English actually comes from.
As you will probably know.
The Saxon king's daughter Rowena said.
"Lord King, waes hael."
Is how the story traditionally goes.
(Don't ask me "what story". Look it up. I'm sure it's probably online somewhere.)
👸🍺🍻🍺🥂🍾
We sang this in a lesson and I love this😍 This voice is so beautiful omg
I love this song - we are doing it in our school play - good health to all and have a very merry Christmas
Me too!!!
+Dulcie Welsh me too
This just may become my favourite festive season track! Beautiful:)
Such a massive tune!
I love you so much your songs are so good
There are two kinds of Wassailing traditions: The old custom of honouring the
fruit trees with sacrifices and libations, to encourage a good crop,
and what seems to be a later adaptation to a rather disreputable
Christian practice that seems very much in keeping with morris and mumming traditions.
Julia Richards describes the latter (which is the type in this carol) rather well:
"What many people may not know about Christmas caroling is that in the
middle ages, caroling was somewhat reminiscent of modern day
trick-or-treating. Peasants wore festive garments and wandered
door-to-door through wealthy neighbourhoods, singing songs in exchange
for goodies. On a more sinister note, wassailing was commonly associated
with rowdy gangs of teenagers who would enter the homes of their
wealthy neighbours and demand free food and drink (specifically, a hot
mulled cider called "wæs hæl," a name derived from the Anglo-Saxon toast
"wæs þu hæl," meaning "be in good health"). If the householder refused,
he was often cursed and his manor vandalized. It is unknown how far
back this tradition goes, but it likely predates the Norman conquest of
1066...Fortunately for the the feudal lords of the 11th century, toilet
paper had not yet been invented. Love and joy come to you,
and to you your wassail too!"
this isnt on spotify, that makes me sad!
Were singing this at school
It's singing Christmas songs door to door :) like carolling
with every breath you sing
SO catchy!
sic nice calm song
Happy new year Everyone!!
❤
If anyone is wondering what wassailing is check out Tasting History channel with Max Miller. The perfect companion to this song!
Saw Kate Rusby live at Cropredy 2018, magical. Now this song is our unofficial anthem @mashamciderpress :-)
Hi Kate
I am reading a Lisa Kleypas, and I imagine this is what the heroine sounds like
This is a really cute version and I like it in her voice.
The only thing that would make it even cuter would be if some children would join in.
Merry Christmas early. ^___^
@IceQueenRose me to!
E. We BBN nm n
Generally I like Kate's music, but this is....ghastly. Rushed and mute.
It's singing Christmas songs door to door :) like carolling