The word "wassail" comes from an Old English term, "Waes hael," meaning "good health." Though the first mention in print of wassailing was in 1140, some historians believe the custom is much older than that, possibly into the 5th century. There are many references to a variety of recipes for the punch in the wassail bowl, some having wine, some having ale and others having combinations of other spirits. The recipes are as varied as the reasons for the custom and how it is observed. Some practiced the wassail simply to celebrate the Christmas season while others saw it as a toast to the harvest and a hope for a good crop next year. Some were polite and orderly as they vocally visited neighbors and friends, while others sampled a bit too much of their own concoction and the event turned into a rowdy home invasion. Today, whether carolers are heard at churches, shopping malls, or serenading neighborhoods, "Gloucester Wassail" remains a favorite.

Lyrics

Chorus:
Wassail, Wassail, all over the town,
Our bread it is white and our ale it is brown,
Our bowl it is made of the white maple tree,
With Wassailing bowl we'll drink to thee.

Here's a health to the ox and to his right eye,
Pray God send our master a good Christmas pie,
A good Christmas pie that we may all see
With Wassailing bowl we'll drink to thee.

Here's a health to the cow and to her long tail,
Pray God send our master a good cask of ale,
A good cask of ale that we may all see,
With Wassailing bowl we'll drink to thee.

Come butler come fill us a bowl of the best,
I hope that your soul in heaven may rest,
But if you do bring us a bowl of the small,
May the Devil take butler, bowl and all!

Then here's to the maid in the lily white smock,
Who tripp'd to the door and slipp'd back the lock,
Who tripp'd to the door and pull'd back the pin,
And let these poor jolly Wassailers in.