Stevens Family Waysail

From the collector, Gwilym Davies, in his article "I'll give you the Waysailing Bowl, the Gloucestershire Waysailing Bowl," English Dance and Song, 50, No. 4, pp. 2-3.


Waysail, waysail all over the town
Our bread it is white and our ale it is brown
Our bowl it is made of some fine apple tree
With a waysailing bowl, we'll drink unto thee.
     Drink unto thee, drink unto thee
     With a waysailing bowl, we'll drink unto thee.

Here's a health to our master and to his right arm
May God send our master a good crop of corn
A good crop of corn that we may all see
With a waysailing bowl, we'll drink unto thee, etc.

Here's a health to our master and to his right leg
May God send our master a jolly fat pig
And a jolly fat pig that we may all see
With a waysailing bowl, we'll drink unto thee, etc.

Here's a health to our master and to his right eye
May God send our master a good Christmas pie
And a good Christmas pie that we may all see
Oh, a waysailing bowl, we'll drink unto thee, etc,

Here's a health to our master and to his right ear
May God send our master a happy new year
And a happy new year that we may all see
With a waysailing bowl, we'll drink unto thee, etc.

Come butler, come butler, bring us a bowl of the best
And we hope that in Heaven your soul it may rest
But if you should bring us a bowl of your small
Then down will go butler, bowl and all
     Bowl and all, etc.

There was an old woman, she had but one cow
And how to maintain it she did not know how
She built up a fire to keep her cow warm
And a little of your cider would do us no harm
     Do us no harm, etc.


© Golden Hind Music