Volume Iv Part 13 (1/2)

A CAROL AT THE GATES.

Here we come a-whistling through the fields so green; Here we come a-singing, so fair to be seen.

G.o.d send you happy, G.o.d send you happy, Pray G.o.d send you a happy New Year!

The roads are very dirty, my boots are very thin, I have a little pocket to put a penny in.

G.o.d send you happy, etc.

Bring out your little table and spread it with a cloth, Bring out some of your old ale, likewise your Christmas loaf.

G.o.d send you happy, etc.

G.o.d bless the master of this house, likewise the mistress, too, And all the little children that round the table strew.

G.o.d send you happy, etc.

The c.o.c.k sat up in the yew-tree, the hen came chuckling by, I wish you a merry Christmas, and a good fat pig in the sty.

G.o.d send you happy, etc.

WANDERING Wa.s.sAILERS.

Wa.s.sail, wa.s.sail, all over the town, Our bread it is white, and our ale it is brown; Our bowl it is made of the maplin tree, So here, my good fellow, I'll drink it to thee.

The wa.s.sailing bowl, with a toast within, Come, fill it up unto the brim; Come fill it up that we may all see; With the wa.s.sailing bowl I'll drink to thee.

Come, butler, come bring us a bowl of your best, And we hope your soul in heaven shall rest; But if you do bring us a bowl of your small, Then down shall go butler, the bowl, and all.

O butler, O butler, now don't you be worst, But pull out your knife and cut us a toast; And cut us a toast, one that we may all see; With the wa.s.sailing bowl I'll drink to thee.

Here's to Dobbin and to his right eye!

G.o.d send our mistress a good Christmas-pie!

A good Christmas-pie as e'er we did see; With the wa.s.sailing bowl I'll drink to thee.

Here's to Broad May and his broad horn, G.o.d send our master a good crop of corn, A good crop of corn as we all may see; With the wa.s.sailing bowl I'll drink to thee.

Here's to Colly and to her long tail, We hope our master and mistress heart will ne'er fail; But bring us a bowl of your good strong beer, And then we shall taste of your happy New Year.

Be there here any pretty maids? we hope there be some; Don't let the jolly wa.s.sailers stand on the cold stone, But open the door and pull out the pin, That we jolly wa.s.sailers may all sail in.

_Chappell's Ancient English Melodies._