Here We Come A-wassailing - A 19th Century English Christmas Carol

Here We Come A-wassailing is a traditional English Christmas carol dating from the mid 19th Century, although it could be even older than that.
The song is sung from the perspective of the poor, who travel from door to door in the tradition of carol singing visiting the more wealthy, asking for Christmas gifts, including money, Christmas loaf, mouldy cheese and of course, beer!
The word 'Wassail,' is a blend of the Old Norse, 'ves heill,' and the Old English, ''hál wes þú' or 'wes hál,' which translates to, 'be in good health,' and was used as a greeting (hail) and a farewell. It then became linked to drinking alcohol amongst the Anglo-Danish and Anglo-Saxon populations of England who used the phrase, 'wes heil...drinc heil,' amongst many other variations.
Wassail then also became the name for a hot alcoholic drink, using either mead or cider mulled with spices and fruit, served and shared round in a bowl.
The act of Wassailing is also an ancient tradition, whereby villagers drink and sing round the trees in the apple orchard to awaken the trees and scare away evil spirits, ensuring a good harvest for the coming year. There are many wonderful variations of this ritual, including hanging toast soaked in cider in the trees for the robins, who represent the good spirits.
The location for this video is once again at the amazing Ryedale Folk Museum, Hutton Le Hole, North Yorkshire, England. It is in their beautifully restored Victorian thatched cottage, that was saved from destruction and lovingly reconstructed at the museum. They kindly let me film for free in return for singing this song for them. I heartily recommend a visit! More information can be found at www.ryedalefolkmuseum.co.uk
Wassail and Merry Christmas!

[@annschrock3973]

We've learned it "Here we come a-caroling" since the elders learned "wassail" might reference alcohol I suspect. Times change.

[@Sonny-m1f]

I'm a traditionalist. A wassailing I'll go. Just like my forefathers. I didn't know what a wassailing was before I clicked on this video. Is that Anglo Saxon etymology?

[@MrNedsaabdickerson]

Magnificent

[@4WallsNoWindows]

I love this version of this song. Great job!

[@HenryBard]

Thank you!

[@rattleshakti]

Great stuff Henry Bard and the same to you my man! 🍻

[@Mariska2201]

Your voice is so wonderful! I love this!❤

[@HenryBard]

Thank you 🙂

[@garlicandglitter1286]

love this song!

[@JaninaSpijker]

Merry Christmas everyone!!❤

[@toweypat]

Bravo! And the history lesson is interesting, too. "Hail" is the origin of "hello", so wassail is related as well.

[@HenryBard]

Good point!

[@Sonny-m1f]

Thank you, God bless you too brother. From Dixie.

[@Sonny-m1f]

I love this song. You are the epitome of a jolly good Englishman. You look like you could have stepped out of victorian England aswell. Deo Gratias Anglia Redde Pro Victoria 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Merry Christmas! This put me in the mood. Things arent so great but God will send us a happy new year. So hopeful.

[@HenryBard]

Thank you, and I hope thing improve for you in 2025z

[@Sonny-m1f]

​@@HenryBardThank you!

[@oliverschnuriger9355]

Loved every bit of it. Absolutely fantastic.

[@HenryBard]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@marco19695]

Thank you so much for the music, Mr.Bard, Sir. 😊

[@HenryBard]

My pleasure!

[@myyondermountainstri]

Great Job!

[@HenryBard]

Thanks!

[@lindalotiel4882]

Heart-warming! I love how you kept wassail in it. My friends and I once made wassail (the drink) and talked about all the history behind it.

[@HenryBard]

Fascinating isnt it! And also delicious!

[@miriammoreno4066]

Me encantan tus interpretaciones ,son excelentes felicidades 😊

[@ritchie9030]

Fabulous

[@HenryBard]

Thank you

[@calliewright3128]

Love everything about this ❤

[@HenryBard]

I’m glad you like it!

[@DanDDirges]

Incredible song and performance! SO glad I stumbled up your channel!

[@HenryBard]

Thank you. More songs to come!

[@calebprewer2718]

When is Henry coming to Spotify??? Or is he there already... Loving the songs!

[@HenryBard]

Sooon!

[@michellejarboe3476]

Merry Christmas 🎄🎁

[@HenryBard]

Happy Solstice!

[@ratto9508]

This put a smile on my face in dark times

[@HenryBard]

I’m glad it helped. I hope things get better for you.

[@Sonny-m1f]

Help the children. I see the design of what the song is for.