You probably think you know this one. It’s that jaunty little tune where kids in Victorian scarves knock on doors and sing for cookies. But here is the thing: the here we come a-caroling lyrics aren't actually about a group of cute children. Not originally, anyway.
Honesty is best here. The song is actually a "wassailing" song. It’s basically a polite, rhythmic demand for booze and money from a group of people who were likely a bit tipsy and definitely cold.
Back in the day—we are talking 17th-century England or even earlier—the "here we come a-wandering" line referred to the poor traveling to the homes of the wealthy. They weren't just there to spread holiday cheer. They were there to exchange a song for a sip of wassail, which was a potent mix of mulled ale, curdled cream, roasted apples, eggs, cloves, ginger, and sugar.
Sounds delicious? Maybe. Or maybe just effective at keeping the frostbite away.
What the Here We Come A-Caroling Lyrics Actually Say
If you look at the standard version most people sing today, it feels very "Christmas card." You have the leaves so green and the "fair maid" who sends out a golden pin. But have you ever stopped to think about what a "golden pin" actually is in this context?
It’s not jewelry.
In some interpretations of the folk history, the "pin" refers to the latch of a door or even a small token of entry. But let’s look at the most common stanzas people hunt for when they search for here we come a-caroling lyrics:
Here we come a-caroling
Among the leaves so green;
Here we come a-wandering,
So fair to be seen.
Wait. "Leaves so green" in December? In England?
That’s a weird detail. Most botanists and historians like Ronald Hutton, who wrote The Stations of the Sun, point out that this likely refers to evergreens—holly, ivy, and mistletoe. These were the only things alive in the dead of winter. It was a sign of luck. A sign that life hadn't totally checked out for the season.
Then comes the chorus that everyone knows:
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Love and joy come to you,
And to you your wassail too;
And God bless you and send you a Great New Year
And God send you a Happy New Year.
The word "wassail" comes from the Old Norse ves heill and the Old English wes hál, which literally means "be healthy." When someone shouted "Wassail!" at you, you were supposed to respond with "Drinkhail!" It was a social contract. If I sing for your health, you give me the drink that makes me feel healthy.
The Verse Nobody Sings Anymore
There is a verse that usually gets cut because it feels a bit too much like a ransom note. It goes something like this:
We have a little purse
Made of ratching leather skin;
We want some of your small white money
To line it well within.
"Small white money" usually meant silver coins. These carolers weren't just looking for a "figgy pudding" (though that’s a different song, the sentiment remains). They were looking for cash.
The "ratching leather skin" is an old-school way of saying stretching leather. Basically, "Our wallets are empty and they have plenty of room for your silver, thanks."
Why We Still Get the Lyrics Wrong
Language changes. It’s inevitable. Most of us sing "here we come a-caroling," but the original title is often "The Wassail Song" or "Here We Come A-Wassailing."
Somewhere in the mid-19th century, during the Victorian era, the holiday got a massive PR makeover. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert brought in the trees and the "family-friendly" vibes. Suddenly, the rowdy groups of men wandering the streets for free ale didn't fit the brand.
So, the songs were sanitized.
The mention of the "master" and "mistress" of the house remained, but the context shifted from a social obligation of the rich to the poor, into a quaint tradition of neighbors visiting neighbors.
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If you're looking at the here we come a-caroling lyrics for a school play or a church choir, you’re likely seeing the version published in 1871 in Christmas Carols New and Old by Henry Ramsden Bramley and John Stainer. They were the ones who really solidified the "green leaves" and "wandering" versions we use today.
A Quick Breakdown of the Common Verses
- The Introduction: Sets the scene. They are wandering, they are visible, they are "caroling."
- The Blessing: Wishing love and joy. This is the "hook." It’s hard to turn away someone wishing you well.
- The Master and Mistress: A direct address to the homeowners. This acknowledges the hierarchy.
- The "Great New Year": It’s important to remember that caroling wasn't just for Christmas Day. It was a whole season thing, stretching from Christmas Eve to Epiphany (January 6th).
The Nuance of the "Fair Maid"
There is a line that often confuses people:
God bless the master of this house,
Likewise the mistress too,
And all the little children
That round the table go.
And then later:
And to every dairy maid
Who taps on the pin...
In the old days, the "pin" was the fastener on the beer or cider barrel. So, the singers weren't just asking for any drink; they were specifically hoping the maid would go down to the cellar and "tap" a fresh cask for them.
It’s a very specific request. It’s like knocking on someone's door today and saying, "Hey, I’ll sing 'All I Want for Christmas is You' if you give me a glass of that craft IPA you have in the back fridge."
Variations You Might Encounter
Depending on where you are—the UK, the US, or even parts of Canada—the lyrics might shift.
In some versions, the "leaves so green" are replaced by "leaves so bare." This actually makes more sense for December, but it lacks that magical, evergreen-mystique that the Victorians loved.
In others, the "golden pin" is a "silver pin."
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There is also a version that mentions a "brown bow." No, not a ribbon. A "brown bowl." This was the wassail bowl itself. It was usually made of wood (maple or ash) and was passed around. Everyone drank from the same bowl. It was communal. It was, by modern standards, a nightmare for the health department, but back then, it was the ultimate sign of trust and community.
Is the Song Religious?
Technically, yes, because it mentions God blessing the house. But it’s "folk-religious." It’s not a hymn like Silent Night. It’s a secular social song that uses the religious framework of the time to add weight to its blessings.
When you sing these lyrics, you’re participating in a tradition that is more about human connection and social safety nets than it is about a church service.
How to Use These Lyrics Today
If you’re planning on actually going caroling—which, honestly, more people should do because it’s fun—don't worry too much about the "correct" version. Folk music is meant to evolve.
However, if you want to be "historically accurate," try to find a version that includes the wassail bowl references. It adds a bit of grit to the performance.
Practical Next Steps for Your Holiday Playlist
If you are looking to master the here we come a-caroling lyrics, here is what you should actually do:
- Listen to the Ralph Vaughan Williams version: He was a massive collector of English folk songs. His arrangement is often considered the gold standard for choral groups and gives you a sense of the proper "wandering" tempo.
- Check the tempo: Most people sing this way too fast. It’s a walking song. It’s meant to be sung while moving between houses. Slow it down and let the "love and joy" chorus breathe.
- Identify your verses: If you are singing for a crowd, stick to the three main verses (Introduction, Master/Mistress, and the New Year blessing). If you are performing for a history-buff audience, throw in the "small white money" verse for a laugh.
- Pronunciation matters: "Wassail" can be pronounced WOSS-el or WASS-ayl. In the context of this song, WOSS-el usually fits the rhyme scheme of the chorus better.
The beauty of these lyrics is that they connect us to a time when people looked out for each other during the coldest months of the year. Whether you’re singing for "small white money" or just for the sake of tradition, you’re keeping a several-hundred-year-old social contract alive.
Go find a "brown bowl," fill it with something warm, and get the lyrics printed out. Just remember to thank the "mistress of the house" if she actually opens the door.
To get the most out of your holiday caroling session, try comparing the Bramley and Stainer 1871 lyrics with the traditional "Gloucestershire Wassail" to see how the themes of food and drink vary between versions.