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Nutmeg & Ginger

by IONA

/
1.
Please to see the King/Gower Wassail A-wassail, a-wassail, throughout all the town. Our cup it is white and our ale it is brown. Our wassail is made of the good ale and true, Some nutmeg and ginger, it’s the best we can do. Fol the dol, the dol-de-dol, Fol the dol-de-dol, fol the dol-de-dee, Fol the dero, fol the daddy, Sing tu-re-lye-do! Our wassail is made of the elderberry bough And so, my good neighbour, we’ll drink unto thou; Besides all of that, you’ll have apples in store, Pray let us come in for its cold by the door. Fol the dol, . . . &c. There’s a master and a mistress sitting down by the fire, While we poor wassailers do wait in the mire, And if we’re alive for another new year, Perhaps we may call and see who doth live here. Fol the dol, . . . &c. We know by the moon that we are not too soon, We know by the sky that we are not too high, We know by the stars that we are not too far, We know by the ground that we are within sound. Fol the dol, . . . &c. © 1996 Barnaby Productions Inc.
2.
The Christ Child’s Lullaby (Taladh Chriosta) My love my pride my treasure, oh My wonder new and pleasure, oh, My son my beauty ever you, Who am I to bear you here The cause of talk and tale am I, The cause of greatest fame am I, The cause of proudest care on high To have for mine the King of all. And though you are the King of all, They sent you to the manger stall, When at your feet they all should fall And glorify my child the King. There shone a star above three kings To guide them to the King of Kings, They held you in their humble arms And knelt before you until dawn. They gave you myrrh, They gave you gold, Frankincense and gifts untold, They traveled far these gifts to bring, And kneel before their newborn King. Alleluia © 1996 Barnaby Productions Inc.
3.
'Ma Grun War ‛N Gelynen(The Holly Bears a Berry)/ Ton Garol/The Holly & The Ivy ‘Ma grün war ’n gelynen, ‘ga lyü-ÿ lëthwyn Ha Jësus ö maylyes yn dyllas owrlyn Ha Mam ö an Vaghteth, Marÿa Mam Dew Ha gwedhen an gwella, an gelynen yü Kelyn, kelyn Ha gwedhen an gwella, an gelynen yü ‘Ma grün war ’n gelynen, ‘ga lyü-ÿ gwelswer Ha Jësus ö croswys, ÿ Vam yn awhër ‘Ma grün war ’n gelynen, ‘ga lyü-ÿ gosruth Ha Jësus yü ‘gan Sylw’as, y vermans mar drüth ‘Ma grün war ’n gelynen, ‘ga lyü-ÿ glowdhü Ha Jësus ö marrow, dredho nÿ a vew [translation: Now the holly bears a berry as white as any milk And Mary bore Jesus who was wrapped up in silk. And Mary bore Jesus Christ, our Saviour for to be And the first tree of the greenwood, it was the holly Holly, holly And the first tree of the greenwood, it was the holly Now the holly bears a berry as green as the grass And Mary bore Jesus who died on the cross Now the holly bears a berry as red as the blood And Mary bore Jesus who died on the rood Now the holly bears a berry as black as the coal And Mary bore Jesus who dies for us all.] The holly and the ivy The holly and the ivy, Are both now well Full grown. Of all the trees that are in the wood The holly bears the crown. O the rising of the sun, The running of the deer, The playing of the merry organ, Sweet singing in the choir. Green-o growth the holly, So doth the ivy, Though winter blasts blow ne’er so high, Green growth the holly O the rising etc.. Fast now fall the shed leaves, Russet and yellow But nesting buds are snug and safe Where swing the dead leaves-o O the rising etc.. Green-o growth the holly, So doth the ivy, The God of life can never die. “Hope!” saith the holly © 1996 Barnaby Productions Inc.
4.
J’Ai Vu Le Loup (I Saw the Wolf) J’ai vû le loup, le r’nard, le lièvre J’ai vû le loup, le r’nard, cheuler. C’est moi-même qui les ai r’beuillés J’ai ouï le loup, le r’nard, le lièvre J’ai ouï le loup, le r’nard chanter. C’est moi-même qui les ai r’chignés J’ai vû le loup, le r’nard, le lièvre J’ai vû le loup, le r’nard, danser. C’est moi-même qui les ai r’virés I saw the wolf, the fox, the hare, I saw the wolf, the fox getting drunk. And I myself bellowed back at them. I heard the wolf, the fox, the hare, I heard the wolf, the fox sing And I myself scowled back at them. I saw the wolf, the fox, the hare, I saw the wolf, the fox getting drunk. And I myself spun them around. © 1996 Barnaby Productions Inc.
5.
Little Red Bird (Ushag Veg Ruy) Little red bird on the lonely moor, Lonely moor, lonely moor Little red bird on the lonely moor, Where did you sleep in the night? Out in the gorse bush dark and wide, Dark and wide, dark and wide, Swift rain was falling on every side, Hard was my sleep in the night. Little red bird.. Did I not sleep on the swaying briar, swaying briar , swaying briar, Tossing about as the wind grew higher, How little I slept in the night. Little red bird.. Did I not sleep on the cold wave’s crest, Cold wave’s crest, cold wave’s crest, Where many a young man has taken his rest, Light was my sleep in the night. Little red bird.. Wrapped in two leaves I lay at ease, Lay at ease, lay at ease, As sleeps the young babe on his mother’s knees, Sweet was my sleep in the night. © 1996 Barnaby Productions Inc.
6.
Can Y Fari Lwyd(Song of the Mari Lwyd)/ Cwrw Da(Fine Ale)/Y Wassael(The Wassail) Wel, dyma ni’n dywad, Gyfeillion diniwad, I ofyn (o)sciawn gannad(x 3) I gianu. Os na chawn ni gannad, R(h)owch glywad ar ganiad Pa fodd ma’r ‘madawiad (x 3) Nos (h)eno. Ni dorson ein crimpa Wrth groesh’r sticila I ddyfod t(u)ag yma (x 3) Nos (h)eno Os o(e)s yno ddynion All dorri anglynion, R(h)owch glywad yn union (x 3) Nos (h)eno. Os aethoch r(h)y gynnar I’r gwely’n ddialgar O, codwch yn (h)awddgar (x 3) Nos (h)eno. Y dishan fras felys  phob sort o sbeisys, O, torrwch (h)i’n r(h)atus (x 3) Y Gwyla. O, tapwch y baril A ‘llengwch a’n r(h)ugul; Na rannwch a’n gynnil (x 3) Y Gwyla. [translation: Well here we come, Innocent friends To ask for permission (x 3) To sing If we don’t get permission, Let us hear out the song. What kind of leaving (x 3) Tonight. We bruised our shins Crossing over the style. To come here (x 3) Tonight. If there are men Who can write poetry, Let us hear them now (x 3) Tonight. If you went too early To bed in an angry mood, Oh, get up nicely (x 3) Tonight. The fat, sweet dish And all sorts of spices O cut it in portions (For) the holidays. Oh, tap the barrel [Which the lads deserve] (?) Don’t divide it so miserly (x 3) (On) the holidays.] Y Wassael O dyma enw’r feinwen Sydd yn codi gyda’r seren A hon yw’r Wassael fawr ei chlod Sydd yn caru bod yn llawen Dymunwn ich’ lawennydd I gynnal blwydden newydd Tra paro’r gŵr yn tincian cloch Well, well y boch chwi beunydd. Ffarwel ich’, foneddigion Mi gawsom groeso ddigon Bendith Duw fo ar eich tai, A phob rhyw rai o’ch dynion. [Translation: Oh, here’s the name of the maiden Who gets up with the star And this is the Wassail, greatly to be praised, Who loves to be merry. I wish you joy In having a New Year. As long as the man rings the bell May it keep getting better for you. Farewell to you, gentlemen, We had welcome enough. God’s blessing on your houses And to every one of your men.] © 1996 Barnaby Productions Inc.
7.
Don Oiche Ud I mBeithil(I Sing of a Night in Bethlehem) I sing of a night in Bethlehem A night as bright as dawn I sing of that night in Bethlehem The night the word was born The skies are glowing gaily The Earth in white is dressed See Jesus in His cradle Drink deep at His Mother's breast And there on a lonely hillside The shepherds bow down in fear When the heavens open brightly And God's message rings out so clear. Glory now to the Father In all the heavens high And peace to His friends on Earth below Is all the angels cry. - translated by Seán MacRéamoinn
8.
There Was a Pig/We’ve Been Awhile There was a Pig went out to dig Chris-I-mas Day, Chris-I-mas Day There was a Pig went out to dig On Chris-I-mas Day in the morning! There was a Cow went out to plough, . . . &c. There was a Sparrow went out to harrow, . . . &c. There was a Crow went out to sow, . . . &c. There was s Sheep went out to reap, . . . &c. There was a Drake went out to rake, . . . &c. There was a Minnow went out to winnow, . . . &c. We’ve been awhile a-wandering Amongst the leaves so green But now we come awassailing So plainly to be seen For it’s Christmas time, When we travel far and near; May God bless you and send you a happy New Year.. We are not daily beggars That beg from door to door; We are your neighbors’ children, That you have seen before; For it’s Christmas time....etc. Good master and good mistress, While you’re sitting by the fire, Pray think of us poor wassailers A-wand’ring in the mire; For it’s Christmas time....etc. Bring us out a table And cover it with a cloth, Bring us out a moldy cheese And some of your Christmas loaf; For it’s Christmas time....etc. Call up the butler of this house, Likewise the mistress too, And all the little children That round the table go; For it’s Christmas time....etc © 1996 Barnaby Productions Inc.
9.
Péh trouz zou ar en doar (What Noise On Earth) Péh trouz zou ar en doar Péh kan a gleúan me Na kaeret er boehieú e za lein eun né Eled, lavaret d’emb eit petra e kannet? Peneú éted ar zé e zou arriú er bed? Arnet eúe genemb kannet pobl ag en doar? Ewan de laret d’ho eun né úèted hemb par Eur mabig beniget roué a Jerusalem E zo gannet eit-ho ér gér a vethléem [Translation by Nolwenn Monjarret: What noise on earth? who is singing for me and who I am hearing how much I like these voices who sing in the skies and what do they say in their song? what is new that happened on earth? we hear the people sing on earth I come to tell you that in the sky there is something beyond compare a small child blessed, king of Jerusalem and who was born for them (the people) in the town of Bethlehem] © 1996 Barnaby Productions Inc.
10.
Nos Galan 03:52
Nos Galan(New Years)/../Deck The Halls Oer yw’r gŵr sy’n methu cary Hen fynyddoedd annwyl Cymru Iddo ef a’u câr cynhesaf Gwyliau llawen flwyddyn nesaf. I’r helbulus oer yw’r biliau Sydd yn dyfod yn y Gwyliau Gwrando begeth mewn un pennill Byth na waria fwy na’th ennill. Oer yw’r eira ar Eryi Er fod gwrthban gwlanen arni Oer yw’r bobol na ofalan’ Gwrdd a’u gilydd ar Nos Galan.. [Translation: Cold is the man who does not love The old mountains of dear Wales. To him and his warmest love Happy holidays next year. To the worried one, bills are “cold”, The bills that come during the holidays. Listen to the sermon in one line - Don’t spend more than you earn! Cold is the snow on Snowdon Even though there is a wool blanket on it. Cold are the people who do not care To meet each other on New Year’s Eve.] Deck The Halls Deck the halls with boughs of holly, Fa la la la la la la la la. 'Tis the season to be jolly, Fa la etc.. Don we now our gay apparel, Fa la etc.. Troll the ancient Yuletide carol, Fa la etc.. © 1996 Barnaby Productions Inc.
11.
Auld Lang Syne Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot And auld lang syne! For auld lang syne, ma dear, For auld lang syne, We’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet For auld lang syne! And surely ye’ll be your pint-stowp, And surely I’ll be mine, And we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet For auld lang syne! For auld etc. We twa hae run about the braes, And pou’d the gowans fine, But we’ve wander’d monie a weary fit Sin auld lang syne. For auld etc. We twa hae paidl’d in the burn Frae morning sun till dine, But seas between us braid hae roar’d Sin auld lang syne. For auld etc. And here’s a hand, my trusty fiere, And gie’s a hand o’thine And we’ll tak a right guid-willie waught For auld lang syne! For auld etc.

about

Traditional Celtic music of the Winter season.

This album is a Celtic Mid-Winter Celebration. We take you wassailing from house to house, on "waits", or with a Mari Lwyd group, to coax ale and cakes from the neighbors. (Wassail, by the way, from a Saxon(!!) phrase meaning "be well", is a potent warm drink of spiced ale.) We soothe you with lullabies, get you dancing, and even singing along - on strange ancient carols, or with some of the old familiar standards.
So join us by the fire, with a cup of wassail, spiced with nutmeg & ginger!

credits

released October 1, 1996

Produced by Barbara Ryan & Bernard Argent
Sound Engineering & Mixing - Scott Shuman & Mike Melchione
Recorded at - Shuman Recording, Inc., Falls Church, VA (703)401-4874
Mastering - Lee Anne Sonenstein & David Glasser, Airshow Inc.,
Art Direction &Design - Steven Parke, WHAT? design (410) 327-9363
Photography - Bryan Burris, Studio 3C; Joyce Parke
Photo of Callanish, Isle of Lewis, Scotland - Barbara Ryan
Liner notes by Bernard & Barbara
All tracks traditional, arranged by IONA © 1996, Barnaby Productions, Inc
With special thanks to Cheryl Mitchell, Nolwenn Monjarret, Katell Thielemann, Betsy O'Malley, Grace Griffith (for help with Auld Lang Syne), our patient and supportive families, Betsy McFadden, Argus Tresidder, Chris & Mark Ryan (and in memory of Joyce Argent and Nancy Tresidder who died before they could hear this album), friends and loyal fans of IONA.

And, of course, to Barnaby!

Also to Mary Cliff and the late Tony Sica without whose dedication to folk music, musicians like us could not be heard.

Instruments:
Barbara Ryan plays an Ovation Legend guitar and beats a Charlie Byrne bodhrán.
Bernard Argent's flute was made by Eugene Lambe, whistles by Glen Schultz of Thin Weazle.
Diana McFadden's cello is by Weaver, 5 course cittern by Nathan Sweet, and mandolin by Flatiron.

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IONA Washington, D.C.

IONA has been taking its unique brand of traditional Celtic music to festivals, arts centers, schools & house concerts all over North America and Europe since 1986, blending music from the various Celtic traditions with stories and a little humor - Barbara Ryan (vocals, bouzouki, bodhran), Bernard Argent (flute, doumbek), Chuck Lawhorn (bass), Jim Queen (fiddle, banjo) & Kathleen Larrick (dance). ... more

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