Somerset Carol

DESCRIPTION: "Come all you worthy gentlemen That may be standing by, Christ our blessed savior Was born on Christmas day... Oh we wish you the comfort and tidings of joy!" The Christ child is born and laid in the manger; the singers wish the householders good cheer
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1963
KEYWORDS: religious Christmas wassail Jesus nonballad
FOUND IN: Britain(England)
REFERENCES (2 citations):
Dearmer/VaughnWilliams/Shaw-OxfordBookOfCarols 8, "Somerset Carol" (1 text, 1 tune)
Silber/Silber-FolksingersWordbook, p. 377, "Comfort and Tidings of Joy" (1 text)
Roud #394
CROSS-REFERENCES:
cf. "God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen"
NOTES [59 words]: Although this song does not actually use the word "wassail," the general tenor (including the final blessing on the householder) is very wassail-like, which is why I have supplied the keyword. The relationship with God Rest You Merry" is obvious (Roud lumps them), though its exact nature is unclear. I suspect, however, that this is a composite piece. - RBW
File: FSWB377B

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