Here We Come A-Caroling
Larry Groce & Chorus Lyrics
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Here we come a wandering, so fair to be seen.
Love and joy come to you, and to you your Wassail too,
And God bless you, and send you a happy new year,
And God send you a happy new year.
Our wassail cup is made of the rosemary tree,
And so is your beer of the best barley.
We are not daily beggars that beg from door to door,
But we are neighbours' children whom you have seen before.
Love and joy, etc.
Call up the butler of this house, put on his golden ring
Let him bring up his glass of beer, And better we shall sing.
Love and joy, etc.
We have got a little purse of stretching leather skin
We want a little of your money to line it well within.
Love and joy, etc.
Bring us out a table and spread it with a cloth
Bring us out some mouldy cheese, And some of your Christmas loaf.
Love and joy, etc.
God bless the master of this house, Likewise the mistress too,
And all the little children that round the table go.
Love and joy, etc.
Good master and good mistress while you're sitting by the fire, Pray think of us poor children who are wand'ring in the mire.
Love and joy, etc.
The lyrics to "Here We Come A-Caroling" by Larry Groce & Chorus celebrate the tradition of wassailing, a practice of going door-to-door during the Christmas season to spread joy and good wishes. The song begins by describing the group's arrival and their presence among the green leaves, highlighting their fair appearance as they wander from place to place. The lyrics express the hope that love and joy will come to the people they encounter, and they also extend wishes for a happy new year and a blessing from God.
The next verse sheds light on the wassail cup used by the group, which is made from the rosemary tree, indicating their connection to nature. It is contrasted with the beer made from the best barley, suggesting the importance of quality and craftsmanship in their celebrations. The sentiment of love and joy is continued throughout this verse.
The following verse emphasizes the group's identity as neighbors' children, distinguishing them from daily beggars. They assert that they have been seen before, suggesting a familiarity and connection to the community, reinforcing their intention to spread love and joy rather than mere begging.
In the fourth verse, the lyrics direct attention to the butler of the house, symbolizing authority and wealth. They request that the butler bring a glass of beer, enhancing the festive atmosphere and promising that the group's singing will improve. Once again, the expression of love and joy is reiterated.
The fifth verse introduces the concept of a purse made of stretching leather skin, as the group approaches the residents for a small contribution. It implies that the group needs a little support to help them prosper and ensure a happy Christmas for themselves.
In the following verse, the lyrics request a table to be brought out and covered with a cloth, as well as some moldy cheese and Christmas loaf. This highlights the sense of communal sharing and celebration during the Christmas season, emphasizing the importance of coming together and enjoying the festivities.
The final verse extends blessings to the master and mistress of the house, as well as the children gathered around the table. It expresses well wishes and goodwill towards the household, recognizing their role in the community and acknowledging the shared joy of the season.
The song concludes with a plea for the master and mistress to think of the less fortunate children while they sit comfortably by the fire, reminding them of the plight of those who may not have access to warmth and comfort during the Christmas season. Once again, love and joy serve as the central themes permeating the lyrics, highlighting the importance of spreading these positive sentiments during this festive time.
Line by Line Meaning
Here we come a-wassailing among the leaves so green
We are coming to celebrate and sing joyfully while surrounded by the vibrant greenery of nature.
Here we come a wandering, so fair to be seen
We are arriving with a sense of wonder and beauty, hoping to catch your attention.
Love and joy come to you, and to you your Wassail too
We wish you love and happiness, and may you also enjoy the traditional Wassail drink.
And God bless you, and send you a happy new year
May God shower you with blessings and grant you a joyful new year.
And God send you a happy new year
May God grant you a joyful new year.
Our wassail cup is made of the rosemary tree
Our traditional drink is served in a cup made from the rosemary tree.
And so is your beer of the best barley
Similarly, your beer is made from the finest barley.
We are not daily beggars that beg from door to door
We are not ordinary beggars who ask for alms every day.
But we are neighbours' children whom you have seen before
Instead, we are familiar faces, the children living nearby.
Call up the butler of this house, put on his golden ring
Summon the butler of this household and have him wear his distinguished golden ring.
Let him bring up his glass of beer, And better we shall sing
Have him bring his glass of beer as we will sing even more joyfully.
We have got a little purse of stretching leather skin
We have a small purse made of flexible leather.
We want a little of your money to line it well within
We hope you can spare some money to fill it up.
Bring us out a table and spread it with a cloth
Please set up a table and cover it with a cloth.
Bring us out some mouldy cheese, And some of your Christmas loaf
Also, bring out some aged cheese and a slice of your Christmas loaf.
God bless the master of this house, Likewise the mistress too
May God bless the master and mistress of this house.
And all the little children that round the table go
And may God bless all the little children gathered around the table.
Good master and good mistress while you're sitting by the fire,
Pray think of us poor children who are wand'ring in the mire
Kind master and mistress, as you enjoy the warmth of the fire, please remember us poor children who are lost and struggling.
Love and joy, etc.
We wish you love and joy, and all the other sentiments expressed above.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: LEE EVANS, TRADITIONAL, PD TRADITIONAL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind