Monday, December 8, 2008

Love and Joy Come to You

Christmas is here,
Merry Old Christmas,
Gift-bearing, heart-touching,
Joy-bringing Christmas,
Day of grand memories,
king of the year!
--- Washington Irving

Marie suggested I do a history of Christmas traditions leading up to Christmas. That got me to thinking that I do have several little Christmas books that I purchased or that were given to me as gifts on the very subject. The above picture and poem are from a little book my Mom gave me December 1977 called Christmas Classics and published for Hallmark Cards. It measures only 3" by 4" and has a mixture of info, pics and poems.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Wassail Song

Here we come a wassailing
Among the leaves so green

Here we come a wandering
So fair to be seen.
REFRAIN:
Love and joy come to you

And to you your wassail too
And God bless you and send you a happy New Year
And God send you a happy New Year.
~~~~~
Our wassail cup is made

Of the rosemary tree
And so is your beer
Of the best barley.
REFRAIN:
Love and joy come to you

And to you your wassail too
And God bless you and send you a happy New Year
And God send you a happy New Year.
~~~~~
We are not daily beggars

That beg from door to door
But we are neighbours' children
Whom you have seen before.
REFRAIN:
Love and joy come to you

And to you your wassail too
And God bless you and send you a happy New Year
And God send you a happy New Year.
~~~~~
Good Master and good Mistress

As you sit by the fire
Pray think of us poor children
Are wandering in the mire.
REFRAIN:
Love and joy come to you

And to you your wassail too
And God bless you and send you a happy New Year
And God send you a happy New Year.
~~~~~
We have a little purse

Made of ratching leather skin
We want some of your small change
To line it well within.
REFRAIN:
Love and joy come to you

And to you your wassail too
And God bless you and send you a happy New Year
And God send you a happy New Year.
~~~~~
Call up the Butler of this house

Put on his golden ring
Let him bring us a glass of beer
And the better we shall sing.
REFRAIN:
Love and joy come to you

And to you your wassail too
And God bless you and send you a happy New Year
And God send you a happy New Year.
~~~~~
Bring us out a table

And spread it with a cloth
Bring us out a mouldy cheese
And some of your Christmas loaf.
REFRAIN:
Love and joy come to you

And to you your wassail too
And God bless you and send you a happy New Year
And God send you a happy New Year.
~~~~~
God bless the Master of this house

Likewise the Mistress too
And all the little children
That round the table go.
REFRAIN:
Love and joy come to you

And to you your wassail too
And God bless you and send you a happy New Year
And God send you a happy New Year.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Here we come a-wassailing", also known as "The Wassail Song", is a traditional Christmas song dating back to the 17th century. Wassailing is the practice of going door-to-door singing Christmas carols and requesting in return wassail or some other form of refreshment. Wassail traditionally is hot, spiced punch made of cider or beer.
--- from www.christmas-songs.org
I didn't realize the song had so many verses!

Here is the last of the Minute Rice ad. Hope it has given you a chuckle. :o)

~ Buy a new tree skirt
~ Volunteer at the city mission
~ Buy snow boots for kids
~ Have patience with visiting in-laws
~ Read "Night before Christmas" out loud
~ Leave milk and cookies out for Santa
~ Leave carrots out for reindeer
~ Attend candlelight service with family
~ Stuff stockings
~ Stay up late trying to put together bicycle
~ REMEMBER REASON FOR THE SEASON
~ and always PRAY FOR PEACE ON EARTH ( be peaceful within yourself)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
HAVE A MAGICAL DAY!

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