Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Here We Come A-Wassailing

Of all the festivities we used to do and don't anymore I miss caroling the most. There's something wondrous and silly about wandering around a neighborhood in a group, singing. There are still groups singing holiday songs but at stationary events that you go to see, they don't come to your door. Sure, it's more efficient that way but it's much less spontaneous and joyful.

Our carolers were mostly choir members. People used to singing together with well-rehearsed parts. Carolling was our play time. Strangers would join in. Between stops songs would be suggested. There wasn't a set list; it was gloriously impromptu. And as the night went on, the adults would get louder and merrier after sipping from flasks they had in their coat pockets. It was about fun, and nothing but fun.

And the people we sang to loved it. Never once did anyone close a door. People would hang out of their apartment house windows, some throwing coats on and joining us. I don't recall anyone offering treats or money, but that's not why we were out there anyway. No wassail or figgy pudding could've made it any happier or better.

Every year I hope for carolers. That's what the seasonal celebrations are about; hope.

Love and joy come to you, and to you your wassail too, and gods bless you and send you a happy new year.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I have only experienced door to door carollers once and that was a rag tab bunch of kids on Christmas Eve who stated they were singing for money for Christmas presents. A tad late I'm thinking unless they were going to buy gifts at the gas station. (they were pretty bad too lol)

Austan said...

What a shame! That's not carolling, that's beggaring!

sdt (a.k.a. stevil) said...

Gosh, that was a long time ago in my world. I used to love doing it.

Why don't we get a group together and go do it? Call ourselves the "Canes and Chairs" or something similar.

Christmas 1968 I met a family with a 100+ year old Wassail recipe. It used cider, oranges with cloves stuck in them, all sorts of stuff. And it had a very potent alchol content. They told me it took days to make. They would part with the recipe for $100.00, so I never got a copy. Damn it. It was gooood.

Austan said...

Well, we could try...

I'd love a good wassail recipe. Every single one I've ever had was like vomit. Seriously.

MoonRaven said...

And a good Wassailing to you--not to mention hope, love, and joy, and a happy new year.

Austan said...

Moony! Joyous Solstice and all the happiness you so deserve. The best is yet to come! xxx