Hampton Fields Wassail

Richard Chidlaw singing the Hampton Fields wassail

Richard Chidlaw – Hampton Fields wassail

Link to transcription/singing copy

The hamlet of Hampton Fields, near Minchinhampton, had its own wassail song and custom.  Richard Chidlaw was told by Billy Cox of Avening on 3 October 1973 that the wassailers carried a bowl with long ribbons and a fox’s tail.  When they took the bowl into the pub, they had to pull back the ribbons to put drink into the bowl.  There is no archive recording of Billy, but Richard Chidlaw noted the tune and some verses.

Wassail, wassail all over the town,
Our ribbons are white and our ribbons are brown
And if you do give us a bowl of your best
I hope your dear souls in heaven will rest.

Now, here’s to my master and to his right arm
Pray God send my master a good crop of corn
A good crop of corn that we may all see
With a wassailing bowl, we’ll drink unto thee.

Here’s luck to my master and to his right leg
Pray God send my master a jolly fat pig
A jolly fat pig as we may all eat
With a wassailing bowl, we’ll eat unto thee.