“Harvest Home Song (I)”

Description

Singer toasts the master of the house, his health and prosperity, and the mistress; listeners are urged to drink up. Cho: "So drink, boys, drink! And see that you do not spill/For if you do, you shall drink two, for that is our master's will"

Notes

This was sung as part of a harvest-supper ritual; each person's cup would be filled as the song was sung around the table. Variants salute other rural occupations, such as woodcutting (cf. the Wales recording). This can be distinguished from other harvest-home songs by the "Drink, boys, drink" chorus. - PJS

Recordings

  • Tony Wales, "The Woodcutter" (on TWales1)

References

  1. DT, MILLDEE3*
  2. Roud #310
  3. BI, RcHaHS1

About

Author: unknown
Earliest date: 1890 ("Sussex Songs," John & Lucy Broadwood)
Found in: Britain(England(South))