This carol is a bit of a mash-up, with lyrics from God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen and Here We Come a-Wassailing. Wassailers go door-to-door, singing carols and wishing good health and good fortune on their neighbors. In return, neighbors offer warm drinks and maybe a shiny coin or two. The setting is rousing. Like a good Christmas ale (which we ask for in verse 4), it will bring a sparkle to your eye and color to your cheeks!
God rest ye, merry gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay!
For Jesus Christ, our savior,
was born on Christmas day.
Chorus: For it is the Christmas time,
and we 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 neighbor’s children
whom you have seen before!
Chorus
God bless the master of this house,
and mistress also,
and all the little children
a-round the table go!
Chorus
Call up the butler of this house
put on his golden ring!
Let him bring a glass of beer
the better we shall sing!
Chorus
We’ve got a little purse
made of stretching leather skin.
We want a little of your coin
to line it well within!
Vox Pulchra 