Wassailing the Fruit Trees
Fruit Tree
The Block Twins and Tuesday went out with Constance to the Quince tree, to take part in the 12th Night ceremony of Wassailing the orchards.
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Toast
They hung toast in the branches for the robins (spirits of the fruit trees)…
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Pot-Banging
…banged on pots to wake up the trees…
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Ale
…and poured brown ale on the trunk!
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Song
Now they are dancing around the tree and singing a joyful Wassail song to the tree:
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Wassail, Wassail all over the town
Our toast it is white and our ale it is brown
Well may you blow, and well may you bear
Blossom and fruit: quince, apple and pear
May your every sprig and your every spray
Give bushels of fruit for next New Year Day
Our bowl it is made of the white maple tree
And with all our wassailing, we’ll drink unto thee!
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Happy New Year to all the Fruit Trees!
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Quimper Hittys 
What a poignant story…and how apropos that sweet Hittys are supporting and giving homage to trees…their origins. Hittys and trees are spaces I go to for contemplation, joy and peace. I experience palpable happiness when I interact with them.
I have never before read this wonderful poem, Wassail. I will keep it forever along with my other favorite:
Trees
Joyce Kilmer, 1886 – 1918
I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the sweet earth’s flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.
I stitched together several Wassail songs to make the lyrics that my Hittys sang. Here is a lovely version so you can hear the tune: Click here
I am hopeful that this will help produce more fruit and not turn out to be a waste of perfectly good ale.The Hittys usually get it right, so I am confident in a future abundance.
Well, The Hittys think it was worth it! The tree too, we hope…check back this fall!
wonderful…just wonderful!!! I hope your tree bears generously. Wonder if Coors Light on my peach tree would work?.
I think it wouldn’t hurt to wake it up, give it toast, libations of some kind, and sing it an encouraging song!
forgot to mention that I really like that shawl of Constance.
thanks – it is one of her favourites, knitted by Rose about four years ago!
As always, I am charmed and delighted by the blessings you bring to us. Thank you- I am grateful ❤
You are very welcome! We love to find find useful and historical ways to celebrate!
What a fascinating tradition! Thank you for sharing it!
You are welcome – we think it is good to be encouraging to fruit trees!