Description
Book SynopsisWassail 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.
Table of ContentsAcknowledgements 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 Winter Wassailing Songs and Poems 1-49 Bibliography Verse forms Index to first lines Index to poets Index to tunes General Index
