A'soalin'
A Joyful Soalin' Celebration of Shared Blessings
Lyrics
Hey ho, nobody home
Expression of emptiness or lack.
Meat nor drink nor money, have I none
Indicates scarcity of basic necessities - food, drink, and money.
Yet shall we be merry
Despite the lack, a decision to find joy or happiness.
Hey ho, nobody home
Repetition of lines 1-3 for emphasis.
Hey ho, nobody home
Repetition of the theme of emptiness and the resolution to be merry.
(Meat nor drink nor money, have I none)
-Yet shall we be merry
-Hey ho, nobody home
-Hey ho, nobody home
-Soal, a soal, a soal cake, please, good missus a soul cake
Request for soul cakes and various fruits, with a reference to Peter, Paul, and the Creator.
An apple, a pear, a plum, a cherry
-Any good thing to make us all merry
-One for Peter, two for Paul, three for Him who made us all
-God bless the master of this house and the mistress also
Blessings for the occupants of the house, including children, animals, and everyone within the gates.
And all the little children that round your table grow
-The cattle in your stable, the dog by your front door
-And all that dwell within your gates, we wish you ten times more
-Soal, a soal, a soal cake, please, good missus a soul cake
Reiteration of the request for soul cakes and blessings.
Apple, a pear, a plum, a cherry
-Any good thing to make us all merry
-One for Peter, two for Paul, three for Him who made us all
-Go down into the cellar and see what you can find
Instructions to check the cellar for provisions, expressing hope for generosity, and a commitment to return next year.
If the barrels are not empty, we hope you will be kind
-We hope you will be kind with your apple and strawber'
-For we'll come no more a 'Soalin'' till this time next year
-Soal, a soal, a soal cake, please, good missus a soul cake
Repeated plea for soul cakes and blessings, emphasizing the number associated with Peter, Paul, and the Creator.
Apple, a pear, a plum, a cherry
-Any good thing to make us all merry
-One for Peter, two for Paul, three for Him who made us all
-The streets are very dirty, my shoes are very thin
Description of hardships, a request for charity, and a blessing for those unable to give.
I have a little pocket to put a penny in
-If you haven't got a penny, a ha' penny will do
-If you haven't got a ha' penny then God bless you
-Soal, a soal, a soal cake, please, good missus a soul cake
Continued request for soul cakes and blessings, mentioning Peter, Paul, and the Creator.
Apple, a pear, a plum, a cherry
-Any good thing to make us all merry
-One for Peter, two for Paul, three for Him who made us all
-Now to the Lord, sing praises all you within this place
Call to praise the Lord, embrace brotherhood, and celebrate the beauty and grace of Christmas.
And with true love and brotherhood, each other now embrace
-This holy tide of Christmas of beauty and of grace
-Oh, tidings of comfort and joy
-
Comment