Bryng us in good ale, and bryng us in good ale;

» H2O - Luther's contribution

Any idea of the carol on the main land of Europe and Luther's customs regarding singing? It seems the carol is akin to the mendicant beggars who "sang for their suppers."

Thanks for a stroll down Memory Lane.

John

-- posted by H2O

Permalink Print Discussion Email Discussion Join the latest discussions

» dancooper - Seasonal song: Warm custom against the cold

In response to Luther's contribution posted by H2O:

I, too, want to thank Stuart for the stroll. With Christmas upon us once again, this article will likely be getting a few more hits as the month progresses. Thanks for this article, Stuart.

I did some caroling in my youth, and remember it fondly. I have not seem or heard any in what must be decades.

I have not looked into the OED, but my best dictionary for researching derivations lists the word, wassail, as coming from the Middle English, and before that, the Old Norse, rather than Old English as you have said. I’m not sure whether this is a problem with your article or my dictionary, but I wanted to mention it.

Thanks for an entertaining bit of history and warm remembrance.

Dan Cooper

-- posted by dancooper

Permalink Print Discussion Email Discussion Join the latest discussions