Here I am, listening 12 years later in the middle of summer, with a wide grin, renewed energy, and already looking forward to Christmas. The music and the energy of the choir makes it impossible not to feel the same fun they were having. Thanks very much for sharing!
One of the best versions of this on youtube. recording isn't the best, but everyone seems to be having a huge amount of fun and that is the whole point of this song. I drink to thee.
We sing this everywhere as we carol sing around the pubs at Christmastime =) There be mulled cider aplenty! Merry Christmas from Gloucestershire, UK (where this song is from) xxx
Used to sing this in the 80s in 7-8th grade choir. I lived in Kentucky, but our Choir teacher was from the U.K. I moved away after 8th grade and it was probably close to a decade until I heard it again. Such a great carol, I just wish it were more popular over here.
Claudia Scott It occurs to me that there's more than one variety of tuba. Perhaps it's only the big bass tuba that rests up on the shoulders. Guess I'll have to go and do a little reading...
From what I can see, there's a style of tuba called 'the marching band tuba', which is worn over the shoulder, with the players head protruding through the hole in the middle. This adaptation makes a lot of sense, if you want to march and play at the same time.
Every artist deserves kudos --- every artist(s) I hear sing this genuine, warming carol is always the "Best I've heard." The blond soloist was high-camp.
This brings fond memories of my tenure as a tenor with the Mississippi State University Madrigal Singers. We would sing the traditional "Wassail Song" during our Christmas Madrigal dinner. The center piece was a real "bore's head", with a cherry red apple in its ghastly mouth. The boar's head was brought out by squires dressed in their Madrigalian frock, during which we sang the traditional song entitled as such..."The Boars's Head"
The varsity choir did this song my junior of high school for the winter concert. It wasn't like this and I think we only sung it twice before the audience drank their drinks.
Updating on first reply, the men’s opening verses are from the Vaughan Williams score; unison first verses, then TTBB with the first tenor is singing the alto line.
I posted above, but repeating here, it seems to be an adaptation of the Vaughan Williams setting: kicp.uchicago.edu/~tcrawfor/music/Solomon/Jul2015/gloucestershire_wassail.pdf
