Traditions and Trivia: Wassail

To those not familiar with the word ‘wassail’ it is merely a delicious mulled cider drink that is a favorite at Christmas parties.

‘Wassail’ is an old English word that wishes one good health, much like ‘cheers.’

Wassailing was used to celebrate harvests and wish good health during the winter to friend. To do so, people would fill a bowl with a variety of mulled drinks and share the Wassail.

Sometimes the bowl was taken door to door, usually with singing involved, and is the origin of the popular Christmas Carol “Here We Come A-Wassailing” or “Here We Come A-Caroling.”

“Here we come a-wassailing
Among the leaves so green,
Here we come a-wand’ring
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,
Here We Come a-wassailing”

History.uk.org describes the harvest aspect in earlier times of the tradition, “in the earliest known days of the practice, the wassail was poured on to the orchards after harvest as a libation or offering to bless the fields for the coming spring and to ward off evil.”

While that is rarely done anymore, the tradition of gathering for a party and visiting people door to door while singing still has participation today.