An Orkney New Year's Carol

This is New Year's Even Night,
We are all Queen Mary's Men,
And we've come here to claim our right:
And that's before our lady.

The morning, it is New Year's Day,
And we've come here to sport and play:

And if you don't open up your door,
We'll lay it flat upon the floor:

Master, get your ale vat,
And give us a couple of pints of that:

Mistress, get your pork ham,
And cut it large, and cut it round,
Be sure you don't cut off your thumb:

We wish your cattle all may thrive,
To every one, a goodly calf:

We wish your mares, well fare they all,
To every one, a stag foal:

We wish your hens all well may thrive,
And every one lay three times five:

We wish your geese may all do well,
And every one, twelve at her heel:

God bless the mistress and her man,
Dish and table, pot and pan:

Here's to the one with yellow hair,
She's hiding underneath the stair:

Be you maids or be you none,
Although our time may not be long,
You'll all be kissed ere we go home:


© Golden Hind Music