Songbook
When it comes to singing, it may fairly be said that Woodside, on occasions, demonstrate a greater level of enthusiasm than quality. But such is often the fate of Folk singing - the songs are sung by people 'of the people' and our abilities brilliantly reflect that great and noble custom. The truth is, when singing with a pint in your hand after an arduous evening's dancing and playing, it is enthusiasm, participation and camaraderie that tend to create the moment.
And speaking of participation, here is your chance to make the difference! Select from the songs below, and lo! Your pleasure shall be displayed in the song panel to the right! Put your finger in your ear, and let it rip...
Country Life
Drunken Sailor
Pleasant and Delightful
Sweet Nightingale
Fathom the Bowl
Strike the Bell
South Australia
New York Girls
Rolling Home
The Sussex Carol
The Boar's Head Carol
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
The Boar's Head Carol
Verse 1
The boar’s head in hand bear I, Bedecked with bays and rosemary
I pray you, my masters, be merry
Quot estis in convivio
(trans. ‘so many as are in the feast’)
Caput apri defero, Reddens laudes domino
(trans. ‘the boar’s head I bring, giving praises to God’)
Verse 2
The boar’s head, as I understand, Is the rarest dish in all this land,
Which thus bedecked with a gay garland
Let us servire cantico.
(trans. ‘let us serve with a song’)
Caput apri defero, Reddens laudes domino
Verse 3
Our steward hath provided this, In honour of the King of bliss
Which, on this day to be served is
In Reginensi atrio:
(trans. ‘in the Queen’s hall’)
Caput apri defero, Reddens laudes domino
Sung by tradition in an ancient ceremony at Queen’s College, Oxford, every Christmas, where the boar’s head is brought in on a large silver platter. The story goes that a student of the college was attacked by a wild boar on Christmas day. He killed the animal by stuffing a book down its throat, which he then retrieved by cutting off the head. He carried the head to the College’s High Table, where the feast (and feat) is celebrated every year. You have to admit it’s a good story. But the tradition may also have been handed down from the Celts and Norsemen, for whom a boar’s head was a great delicacy. First published in 1521.