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Words and music by Dennis Livingston Length
of song:
2:52 Song
style/genre:
Moderate, jig-like tempo Key(s):
G maj Note
range
(Low/High):
Arranged for SATB About
the song:
Wassail songs derive from an English
tradition that bears directly on the
spirit of this piece. A "wassail" is a
spicy, hot drink made from fermented
apples that was served to groups of
singers who, on New Year's Eve, roamed
from house to house asking for warmth, a
drink from the wassail bowl and a bit of
food and money. In return, they extended
their blessings and promised to be back
the next year. The title of a wassail song
often took the name of a local village or
region, as I have done here for the Boston
suburb in which I live. While
BROOKLINE WASSAIL borrows the form of a
traditional wassail song, the musical
arrangement and content are clearly
contemporary. In particular, the
wassailers here ask not for alms for
themselves, but, in Verse 3, for charity
to those who are poor and ill. With its
use of multiple voices, four-part
harmonies and a rousing jig tune, the song
could make a striking and appropriate
conclusion to any holiday show, especially
events geared to charitable
fund-raising. Song versions: Three versions of the song are available. Gender
point of
view:
Irrelevant
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PLAY THE ORIGINAL DEMO RECORDING 
