The Wassail Song

The Wassail Song unlike other Christmas carols does not celebrate the nativity. The Wassail Song celebrates the New Year! "Wassail" is an olde English word for a toast similar to "Good Health" and the wassail is the content of the glass or goblet (spiced or mulled wine or ale) The tradition of going wassailing dates back to 12th century England.   This particular carol’s roots, may have copied from a source in the reigns of James 1 (1566-1625) or Charles 1 (1600-1649). As such, it  suggests that Shakespeare may have heard this song sung outside of his house at Christmas.

World Parts are provided with this score when purchased as a PDF download.  Instrumentation for standard and a number of alternate parts make this playable by almost any 5 piece brass ensemble:

Part 1 – Bb Trumpet (alt. C Trumpet)
Part 2 – Bb Trumpet (alt. C Trumpet)
Part 3 – F Horn (alt. Eb Horn, Bb Baritone T.C.)
Part 4 – Trombone B.C. (alt. Bb Trombone T.C.)
Part 5 – Tuba B.C. (alt. Eb Bass T.C., Bb Bass T.C)

To order the Gig Ready Brass Quintet Library, Volume V: Holiday #2, which contains this arrangement and 24 others, click here.