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._

BRING US IN GOOD ALE.

_Bring us in good ale, and bring us in good ale;_ _For our blessed Lady's sake, bring us in good ale._

Bring us in no brown bread, for that is made of bran, Nor bring us in no white bread, for therein is no game, But bring us in good ale.

Bring us in no beef, for there are many bones, But bring us in good ale, for that goeth down at once; And bring us in good ale.

Bring us in no bacon, for that is pa.s.sing fat, But bring us in good ale, and give us enough of that; And bring us in good ale.

Bring us in no mutton, for that is often lean, Nor bring us in no tripes, for they be seldom clean; But bring us in good ale.

Bring us in no eggs, for there are many sh.e.l.ls, But bring us in good ale, and give us nothing else; And bring us in good ale.

Bring us in no b.u.t.ter, for therein are many hairs, Nor bring us in no pig's flesh, for that will make us boars; But bring us in good ale.

Bring us in no puddings, for therein is all G.o.d's good, Nor bring us in no venison, for that is not for our blood; But bring us in good ale.

Bring us in no capon's flesh, for that is often dear, Nor bring us in no duck's flesh, for they s...o...b..r in the mere; But bring us in good ale.

_Wright's Songs and Carols._

ABOUT THE BOARD.

Come bravely on, my masters, For here we shall be tasters Of curious dishes that are brave and fine, Where they that do such cheer afford, I'll lay my knife upon the board, My master and my dame they do not pine.

Who is't will not be merry And sing down, down, aderry?

For now it is a time of joy and mirth; 'Tis said 'tis merry in the hall When as beards they do wag all; G.o.d's plenty's here, it doth not show a dearth.

Let him take all lives longest, Come fill us of the strongest, And I will drink a health to honest John; Come, pray thee, butler, fill the bowl, And let it round the table troll, When that is up, I'll tell you more anon.

_New Christmas Carols, A.D. 1642._

BEFORE THE FEAST.

All you that are good fellows, Come hearken to my song; I know you do not hate good cheer Nor liquor that is strong.

I hope there is none here But soon will take my part, Seeing my master and my dame Say welcome with their heart.

This is a time of joyfulness And merry time of year, Whereas the rich with plenty stored Doth make the poor good cheer; Plum-porridge, roast-beef, and minced-pies Stand smoking on the board, With other brave varieties Our master doth afford.

Our mistress and her cleanly maids Have neatly played the cooks; Methinks these dishes eagerly At my sharp stomach looks, As though they were afraid To see me draw my blade; But I revenged on them will be Until my stomach's stayed.