In the North Riding of Yorkshire it is also the custom for the parishioners, after receiving the Sacrament on Christmas Day, to go from church directly to the ale-house, and there drink together as a testimony of charity and friendship.—Aubrey, MS. quoted in Time’s Telescope, 1826, p. 293.
At Filey, on Christmas morning before break of day, there existed formerly the greatest uproar, by numbers of boys going round from house to house, rapping at every door, and roaring out, “I wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year,” which words were vociferated again and again till the family awoke and admitted the clamorous visitor; who, if he were the first,[94] was treated with money or cheese and gingerbread, which were also distributed, but less liberally, to subsequent visitors. No persons (boys excepted) ever presumed to go out of doors till the threshold had been consecrated by the entrance of a male. Females had no part in this matter, and if a damsel, lovely as an angel, entered first, her fair form was viewed with horror as an image of death.—Cole, Antiquities of Filey, 1828, p. 137.
[94] The custom of first footing seems to have been confined in other places to New Year’s Morning.
At Huddersfield the children carry about a “wessel-bob,” or large bunch of evergreens hung with oranges and apples, and coloured ribbons, singing the following carol:
“Here we come a wassailing
Among the leaves so green,
Here we come a wandering
So fair to be seen.
Chorus.
For it is in Christmas time
Strangers travel far and near,
So God bless you and 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.
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.
We have got a little purse
Made of stretching leather skin,
We want a little of your money
To line it well within.
Bring us out a table
And spread it with a cloth;
Bring out a mouldy cheese,
Also your Christmas loaf.