Full Description
Wassail songs are part of Welsh folk culture, but what exactly are they? When are they sung? Why? And where do stars and pretty ribbons fit in? This study addresses these questions, identifying and discussing the various forms of winter wassailing found in Wales in times past and present. It focuses specifically on the Welsh poetry written over the centuries at the celebration of several rituals - most particularly at Christmas, the turn of the year, and on Twelfth Night - which served a distinct purpose. The winter wassailing aspired to improve the quality of the earth's fertility in three specific spheres: the productivity of the land, the animal kingdom, and the human race. This volume provides a rich collection of Welsh songs in their original language, translated into English for the first time, and with musical notation. It also provides a comprehensive analysis of these poems and of the society in which they were sung.
Contents
Acknowledgements
List of Illustrations
An Introduction to Winter Wassailing in Wales
Christmas Wassailing
Wassailing at the New Year
Hunting the Wren
Stars and Ribbons: the Mari Lwyd ritual
Gwyl Fair y Canhwyllau (Candlemas)
Illustrations
Tunes
Beth sy mor feinion
Calennig (1)
Calennig (2)
Can Hela'r Dryw
Can y Dryw
Can y Fari Lwyd
Cerdd Dydd Calan
Conset Prince Rupert or Prince Rupert's Conceit
The Cutty Wren
Cyfri'r Geifr (1)
Cyfri'r Geifr (2)
Y cyntaf dydd o'r Gwyliau or The first day of Christmas
Deffrwch! Benteulu
Dibyn a Dobyn
Y Fedle Fawr
Ffarwel Gwyr Aberffraw
Hyd yma bu'n cerdded
Joan's Placket
Leave Land or Gadael Tir
May Day
Y Mochyn Du
Peg O'Ramsey
Pilgrim
Sosban Fach
Susannah
Tri Thrawiad Gwynedd
Y Washael (Wel, dyma enw'r feinwen)
Ymdaith Gwyr Harlech or The March of the Men of Harlech
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Bibliography
Verse forms
Index to first lines
Index to poets
Index to tunes
General Index
