Gretchen: What’s the yule log?
English child: Well, it’s a big log that we always burn in the fireplace on Christmas Eve. All the family meet together on Christmas Eve, and we have a beautiful tree like yours. Every one gives a present to every one else, and we sing and tell stories and have a happy time. Then early on Christmas morning the waits come round and waken us, singing Christmas carols. At dinner we have a great big plum pudding, and mother puts brandy on it and sets fire to the brandy, and it makes a pretty blue flame.
Gretchen: I think that must be a happy Christmas. Who are the waits that sing the carols?
English child: They are children who go about from house to house, early on Christmas morning, and sing.
Gretchen: Will you sing one of your carols for us?
English child: Yes, if you will all help. (English child sings carol.)
I saw three ships come sailing in;
On Christmas day, on Christmas day;
I saw three ships come sailing in;
On Christmas day in the morning.
Pray whither sailed those ships all three,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day,
Pray whither sailed those ships all three,
On Christmas day in the morning?
And all the bells on earth shall ring
On Christmas day, on Christmas day,
And all the bells on earth shall ring
On Christmas day in the morning.
(Children join in the refrain. As they finish the carol, a Swedish child enters.)