T. N.
The following pleasant old song, inserted by Mr. Brand, from Ritson’s collection of “Antient Songs,” was met with by the Editor of the Every-day Book, in 1819, at the printing-office of Mr. Rann, at Dudley, printed by him for the Wassailers of Staffordshire and Warwickshire. It went formerly to the tune of “Gallants come away.”
A CARROLL FOR A WASSELL-BOWL.
A jolly Wassel-Bowl,
A Wassel of good ale,
Well fare the butler’s soul,
That setteth this to sale;
Our jolly Wassel.
Good Dame, here at your door
Our Wassel we begin,
We are all maidens poor,
We pray now let us in,
With our Wassel.
Our Wassel we do fill
With apples and with spice,
Then grant us your good will
To taste here once or twice
Of our good Wassel.
If any maidens be
Here dwelling in this house,
They kindly will agree
To take a full carouse
Of our Wassel.
But here they let us stand
All freezing in the cold;
Good master, give command,
To enter and be bold,
With our Wassel.
Much joy into this hall
With us is entered in,
Our master first of all,
We hope will now begin,
Of our Wassel.