Souling Songs

We sang these two songs. the first "soul cake" sang by children and the second comes from a mummers play from Cheshire. These players were performed by adults going from public house to public house in return for money food and beer. the origins of "trick or treat". Most counties will have had their own traditional players and songs. i tried to find one from Devon but sadly no luck.
However, i had the joy to take my daughter and her friends out "trick or treating", all had attended the souling day and sang "soul cake" unprompted as we walked. A success in my eyes to bring alive again these beautiful traditions.

SOUL CAKE

Chorus:
soul cake, soul cake,
please good missus a soul cake.
an apple, a pear, a plum or a cherry,
any good thing to make the heart merry.

soul cake, soul cake,
please good missus a soul cake,
one for peter, two for paul,
three for them who made us all

Oh bless the master of this house,
and the missus also,
and all the little children,
who round your table grow.

the cattle in your stable,
the dogs at your front door,
all who dwell within your gates,
we wish you ten times more.

Chorus

Go down into your cellar,
 to see what you may find,
if your barrels aren't to empty,
 we hope that you'll be kind.

be kind with an apple,
 or maybe a pear,
then we'll come no more a souling,
until this time next year.

Chorus

the streets are very dirty,
my shoes are very thin.
I've got a little pocket
 to put a penny in.

if you haven't got a penny,
a ha'penny will do.
if you haven't got a ha'penny
then I'll bless you.

Chorus.


SOULING SONG

Chorus
oh we are one two three good hearty lads and we're all in one mind
for we have come a souling good nature to find
for we have come a souling for your money and your beer
then we'll come no more so nigh to you till this time next year.

go down unto your cellar boys and there you will find
some strong beer some cider some ale or port wine
with your white bread and cheese it will fill us with cheer
then we'll come no more so nigh to you till this time next year.

Chorus

oh come dearest mistress do not tally to spin
but to untop a jug for to draw some ale in
when we have gotten it how soon you shall see
that when we have drunken it how merry we will be

Chorus

come pick up your sackies your sackies good dame
for wi'walking and wi'talking we've gained a good name
for wi'walking and wi'talking we have gotten very dry
and the last of your neighbours did not us deny

Chorus

our time it is precious and we cannot long stay
for we're a company designed for to taste of your ale
we want none of your small beer nor none of your pale
but the one that's in the kinker keg that's next to the wall

Chorus