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Song: Here we come a caroling
1. Song: Here we come a caroling
The song "
Here we come a caroling" had many other names such as "
Here we come a wassailing" and is sung for well-wishing, singing carols, etc. The linguistic progression is as follows where the "
a-" prefix is sometimes called an "
intensifying prefix".
| go on hunting |
go a hunting |
go hunting |
A hunting we will go |
| six geese on laying |
six geese a laying |
six geese laying |
Twelve days of Christmas |
| go on caroling |
go a caroling |
go caroling |
Here we come a caroling |
The English song dates to the 1800's but appears to be much older. It was sometimes used by groups of beggars to put others in a good mood to be more generous.
2. A hunting we will go
The folk song "
A hunting we will go" is from 1777 by English composer Thomas Arne. Different animals can be substituted in each verse (with other appropriate words).
A-hunting we will go.
A-hunting we will go.
Heigh-ho, the derry-o,
a-hunting we will go.
A-hunting we will go.
A-hunting we will go.
We'll catch a fox and put him in a box
and never let him go.
The last line is now "
And then we'll let him go". Jesus uses the word "
fox" to describe Herod while "
hunting" is often described in the Bible.
Matthew 8:20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. [kjv]
3. Song: Twelve days of Christmas
The "
twelve days of Christmas", is a cumulative song first published in the 1780. It started with pagan origins.
Pre-Christian Yule (geol) festivals during winter solstice. Green and red colors.
Carols such as "Deck the Halls", as a covering as in "Thatch the halls", etc.
Fast until end of Christmas Eve.
12 days of celebration after Christmas day until Epiphany (magi).
How many total gifts when the song is sung (sing, sang, sung) through completely?
364 plus the baby Jesus
The Christmas song "
The twelve days of Christmas", in the final verse, has
12 lines, or parts, and
78 gifts. The number
78 is an example of a "
triangular number". The song is sung over and over.
4. Final verse
On the
twelfth day of Christmas my true love sent to me:
12 Drummers Drumming, 11 Pipers Piping,
10 Lords
*a Leaping, 9 Ladies Dancing
8 Maids
*a Milking, 7 Swans *
a Swimming
6 Geese
*a Laying, 5 Golden Rings,
4 Calling Birds, 3 French Hens,
2 Turtle Doves, and a Partridge in a Pear Tree
*Older English often used "a" before verbs such as "a Hunting" we shall go.
5. Triangular number 12
The Christmas song "
The twelve days of Christmas", in the final verse, has
12 lines, or parts, and
78 gifts. The number
78 is an example of a "
triangular number". The song is sung over and over.
How many total gifts?
364 plus the baby Jesus
6. Number of the fish
After the resurrection, Jesus appears while the disciples are fishing.
John 21:11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. [kjv]
Triangular number
17 has a value of
153 and was known in ancient Greek times as the "
number of the fish". No one knows why John used this number.
7. Be healthy
This Old Norse phrase "
ves heil" as "
be healthy" or "
be sound" or "
be saved" is the origin of the Christmas (Winter Solstice yule time) custom of the "
wassail" bowl (from 1275) that typically contains a spiced ale for the celebration time near Christmas Eve.
Matthew 9:21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. [kjv]
… byo hal … [wes]
… gesund. [lu]
Be healthy. Be holy. Be saved.
Happy Holy Days, Happy Holidays.
8. Matthew 9:21
KJV: For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.
Greek: ελεγεν γαρ εν εαυτη εαν μονον αψωμαι του ιματιου αυτου σωθησομαι
Latin: dicebat enim intra se si tetigero tantum vestimentum eius salva ero
Wessex: hyo cwaeð soðlice on hire mode. for an ich byo hal gyf ich his reafes aet-rine.
Wycliffe: For sche seide with ynne hir self, Yif Y touche oonli the cloth of hym, Y schal be saaf.
Tyndale: For she sayd in her silfe: yf I maye toche but even his vesture only I shalbe safe.
Luther: Denn sie sprach bei sich selbst: Möcht' ich nur sein Kleid anrühren, so würde ich gesund.
9. Verse 1
Here we come a-caroling,
Among the leaves so green,
Here we come a wand'ring,
So fair to be seen.
Love and joy come to you,
And to your wassail too
And God bless you and send you a Happy New Year,
And God send you a Happy New Year.
10. Verse 2
We are not daily beggars
That beg from door to door,
But we are neighbors' children
Whom you have seen before.
Love and joy come to you,
And to your wassail too
And God bless you and send you a Happy New Year,
And God send you a Happy New Year.
11. Verse 3
God bless the master of this house,
Likewise the mistress too;
And all the little children
Whom you have seen before
Love and joy come to you,
And to your wassail too
And God bless you and send you a Happy New Year,
And God send you a Happy New Year.
12. Verse 4
And all your kin and kinsfolk
That dwell both far and near,
I wish you Merry Christmas
And Happy New Year.
Love and joy come to you,
And to your wassail too
And God bless you and send you a Happy New Year,
And God send you a Happy New Year.
13. End of page
