Wassailing in December

So we finally have a date to meet, Friday, December 13th, it will come up fast.  We'll meet at the same place (e-mail me if you'd like to know-- rainyd43@yahoo.com) then probably caravan to different houses.  We'll need a few volunteers to stay home and receive wassailers, preferably also willing to make mulled wine and/or non-alcholic cider and a snack (yes, this necessitates some designated drivers, so figure yours out early), besides getting sung to by our very talented wassailers, you get a little ritual well-wishing for your troubles if you stay home.  I guess there is no reason that a family couldn't stay home and receive wassailers, then get in the car and caravan to the next house if they wanted...

 (Gloucestershire version) "Wassail, wassail all over the town; our bread it is white and our ale it is brown, our bowl it is made of the white apple tree, with a wassailing bowl we'll drink to thee.

1. wassail, waassail, all over the town; our bread it is white and our ale it is brown, our bowl it is made of the white apple tree, with a wassailing bowl we'll drink to thee.
 2. come, butler, come fill us a bowl of the best, we'll pray that your soul in heaven will rest; but if you do draw us a bowl of the small, may the devil take butler, bowl, and all!
 3. so here's to the maid in the lily-white smock, who skipped to the door and slipped back the lock
who skipped to the door and pulled back the pin,
for to let these jolly wassailers come in.
 4. come mother, and fill us a bowl of the best; we'll drink it down slowly and sing that much less.  but if you do bring us a bowl of the small, we'll wassail the night all here in your hall.
 5. and here's to the granny that sits by the fire, come make us some room and we'll sing you an hour.  we'll sing you and hour, and if you can hear, we'll drink to your health, and a happy new year."

  December 13th is kind of early for wassailing, I'll admit.  Perhaps next year it will work out better, closer to Winter Solstice.  Early January would also be fitting.  We are bringing a little warmth and cheer to each house we visit, so the darker and colder it is outside, the more fruitful our efforts.

For a little more information about the origins of wassailing (and thus, caroling), see this podcast by Norma Waterson
 Folk Singing class
The whole thing is great, but if you're short on time, #6 is the one you want.

I think it would be fine to bring children, but that is up to individual parents' discretion.  Eat a good meal, then show up about 6:30pm.