Wassailing
What is it?The word Wassail comes from the old Anglo Saxon ‘wes hal’ meaning to be whole, in good health.
Wassailing is a very old English custom with its roots in Paganism; the idea is to protect the cider apple trees from evil spirits and to ensure a plentiful crop in the coming season. The tradition is still upheld throughout the country, but particularly so in Somerset, the home of Cider.
When
January 17th, old Twelfth Night is the traditional date for Wassailing and although ceremonies and songs (example below) vary slightly from orchard to orchard they all run along the same theme.
What Happens
The evening commences with sustenance in the form of apple cake washed down with mulled cider, at which point a wassailing queen is chosen.
The best or oldest tree in the orchard is chosen as a guardian to represent them all, pieces of toast soaked in cider are placed in the tree and cider is poured around the base of it. Shot guns are fired into the top most branches and buckets are beaten, the aim being to scare away evil spirits and wake the sleeping trees. Some believe that if the trees aren’t wassailed there will be no harvest.
Once the harvest has been assured the evening continues with music, fun, cider and food.
A Wassail Song
Old apple tree, we wassail thee,
And hoping thou wilt bear
For the Lord doth know where we shall be
Till apples come another year.
For to bear well, and to bear well
So merry let us be.
Let every man take off his hat,
And shout to the old apple tree!
Old apple tree, we wassail thee,
And hoping thou wilt bear
Hatfuls, capfuls, three bushel bagfuls
And a little heap under the stairs
Hip! Hip! Horray!
