Apple Tree Wassail

Описание: Here are some new lyrics I’ve added on to the traditional song “Apple Tree Wassail.” The term “Wassail” can refer either to the drink known as Wassail, or the activity of Wassailing. Wassail the drink is generally a hot, spiced cider, ale, or wine served during the winter months and especially at midwinter holidays. The word Wassail likely comes from the term “was hael” from Old English or Norse, used as a toast to mean “be in good health!.” The act of Wassailing was generally about going door to door in one’s community and singing blessings on the household in exchange for Wassail. But what was also common in parts of England was orchard wassailing or livestock wassailing- conferring gifts and blessings on the fruits and animals for their prosperity in the new year. Wassailing could happen around Christmastime, but was also popular in the succeeding twelve days of Christmas, Old Christmas (January 6th) and Epiphany (by the old Julian calendar- January 17th).

This orchard wassailing song could be sung at the doorstep of someone who had an orchard, and these days is more commonly sung in the orchard itself. In orchard wassailing, a particular tree might be singled out for attention- with toast soaked in cider placed on its branches, and cider or ale poured on its roots. “Apple Tree Wassail” comes from the county of Somerset in southwestern England, and similar versions are found in Devon. You can easily find versions of this song online, especially recorded by the Watersons. But the lyrics you’re hearing are ones I’ve created to address the apple tree more directly! My Wassailing troupe sings this song to a fruit-bearing tree every year, leaving offerings of toast on its branches. What local fruit trees and shrubs do you want to say or sing thanks to?

Oh apple tree we waken thee
With gifts of the harvest, with gifts from your seed
The robin may come, the robin may sing
To guard you and keep you and new apples bring