Talk:Here We Come A-wassailing

Versions[edit]

While browsing a second-hand bookstore the other day, I found the Oxford Book of Carols. It contained 'Here we Come A-Wassailing', but it had several additional verses, and some were in a different order. Unfortunately, I did not have enough money to buy it, and I don't have a photographic memory. Does anyone know anything about this? (like, is there an online version?) Thanks! Amphion 02:06, 3 January 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I do know there are more verses. One of my favorites is, "God bless the master of this house and over all he reigns, and all the little children who'll sing for us again," or, "and bless us poor children (who'll sing for you again) to sing for you again." In all honesty, the order is up for grabs; as it what verses are added, omitted, or created for each rendition of the song. I would like to see a list of all verses known for this song, though. Should we make an, "additional verses," section on the article? --"Allocco"2602:306:C4FF:AD50:4512:843E:CD18:FB4A (talk) 09:43, 11 December 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Wassail, referring to[edit]

Also, this page links to the drink the Wassail.... however there is a page about wassailing, which is the practise of going door-to-door.... wouldn't that be a more reasonable thing for the song to be referring to?

It would indeed make more sense, and so I changed the Merriam-Webster link from the noun to the verb. Enderandpeter (talk) 04:00, 8 June 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Lyrics[edit]

"Here we come a-wassailing Among the leaves so green"

"Leaves so green"? In the middle of the winter? Xavius, the Satyr Lord (talk) 08:59, 3 December 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I've always wanted to know that myself. Anyone have any info on that? --74.212.33.45 (talk) 09:46, 3 July 2010 (UTC)[reply]

In the variant I thought I remembered performing, the lyrics were instead, "Among the streets so green," which would make much more sense. The color green is often connected to Christmas; and ironically winter in general. Youth and inexperience are often referred to as, "green," and the winter is not only the end of the year, but the beginning of a new, "green," year.^[1] Green is also considered a very calm color, and I have no doubt that winter is the calmest month -- shopping season aside. --"Allocco"2602:306:C4FF:AD50:4512:843E:CD18:FB4A (talk) 10:06, 11 December 2014 (UTC)[reply]

It could refer to evergreens associated with Christmas/Yule eg holly, ivy, wreaths, misletoe and a celebration of life and growth. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 188.30.159.169 (talk) 17:00, 9 December 2018 (UTC)[reply]

References

^ Eva Heller (2000), Psychologie de la couleur – effets et symboliques, pg. 92. 22 percent of respondents surveyed associated green with youth, (16 percent choosing yellow);

[1] Eva Heller (2000), Psychologie de la couleur – effets et symboliques, pg. 92. 22 percent of respondents surveyed associated green with youth, (16 percent choosing yellow);

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