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"WASSAIL, WASSAIL ALL OVER THE TOWN..." Probably, if not definitely the most rarest Blur song ever recorded, the 'Wassailing Song' was given away free at the bands Christmas gig at London's 'Hibernian Club' on Fulham Broadway on December 16th 1992. It's limited run of 500 copies makes it their most sought-after rarity. The 7" 'flexi' single, is Blur's rendition of a medieval christmas carol that Damon and Graham had sung at Stanway Comprehensive and was recorded during a break in the 'Modern Life Is Rubbish' sessions. |  |
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Each verse is sung in turn by (in order): Damon, Graham, Dave, and Alex. In fact, it is the only Blur song to feature the vocal talents (ahem!) of all four members of the band. Most fans have only heard the shortened preview of the song when it accompanies the Stonehenge footage in the 'Starshaped' video. For those of you that don't know, a wassail is a wooden bowl into which hot punch is poured. |
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Ancient wassailing consisted of making the drink wassail, originally mulled ale, curds, apples, and sometimes nuts. A group of wassailers would then go out with bowls filled with wassail from house to house and wassail the apple and cherry trees with songs and loud noises to ensure a good crop from the orchards the next year. The wassailing of Victorian times resembled christmas carolling more than it did its earlier counterpart, and is the form most are familiar with. THE WASSAILING SONG
(Presented and arranged by Gold, Frankincense and Blur)
Wassail, Wassail all over the town
So here is to Cherry and to his right cheek
And here is to Dobbin and to his right eye
So here is to broad Mary and to her broad horn
And here is to Fillpail and to her left ear
And here is to Colly and to her long tail
Come Butler come fill us a bowl of the best
Then here is to the maid in the lily white smock |