Story Behind The Song

An old traditional English Anglo Saxon (Yorkshire dialect) song that tells of the soul's travel, and the hazards it faces, on its way from earth to purgatory. Though the song is from the Christian era and features references to Christianity much of the symbolism is thought to be of heathen origin. Basically the song is a warning to the living: Be generous to the poor or you'll regret it when your time comes. The dirge is ancient, and exists in several major forms. One of the most well recordings of the song is the 1972 recording by Pentangle. The word "lyke" is an ancient British word for "corpse." The word "wake" originally meant "watch" (as in, a period of standing by or attending) and its old meaning is still current: A period of watching over a corpse.

Song Description

An old traditional English Anglo Saxon (Yorkshire dialect) song that tells of the soul's travel, and the hazards it faces, on its way from earth to purgatory. Though the song is from the Christian era and features references to Christianity much of the symbolism is thought to be of heathen origin. Basically the song is a warning to the living: Be generous to the poor or you'll regret it when your time comes. The dirge is ancient, and exists in several major forms. One of the most well recordings of the song is the 1972 recording by Pentangle. The word "lyke" is an ancient British word for "corpse." The word "wake" originally meant "watch" (as in, a period of standing by or attending) and its old meaning is still current: A period of watching over a corpse. This version features vocals in Anglo Saxon Yorkshire dialect), Hurdy-gurdy (crank-turned string folk instrument used in French, Cajun, Hungarian, Catalan and Sardinian music) and drums and percussion.

Lyrics

The song is sung in old English Anglo Saxon with a Yorkshire dialect.

This say neet - this say neet - Every nighte and alle,
fire and sleet and candle leat and Christ receive thy soul
When from hence away art past - Every nighte and alle
to whinny muir thou com'st at last and Christ receive they soul
If ever thou gaves't hosen and shoon - Every nighte and alle
sit thee down and put them on and Christ receive thy soul
If hosen and shoon thou ne'er gav'st nane - Every nighte and alle
The whinnes shall prick thee to the bare bane and Christ receive thy saule.
From many moments thou may'st pass - Every nighte and alle
to bring or dread thou coms't at last and Christ receive they soul
From brig o dread when'st thou may pass - Every nighte and alle
to Purgatory fire thou coms't at last and Christ receive thy soul
If ever thou gaves't meat or drink - Every nighte and alle
the fire shall never make thee shrink and Christ receive they soul
If meat or drink thou ne'er gaves't nane - Every nighte and alle
the first sall burn thee to the bare bane and Christ receive they soul
This say neet - this say neet -Every nighte and alle
fire an sleet and candle leat and Christ receive they soul


The words are fairly easy to understand but if you need a translation:
On this night, on this night, Every night and all,
Hearth and house and candle-light and Christ receive your soul.
When from here away you pass, Every night and all,
To Thorny Moor you come at last; And Christ receive your soul.
If ever you gave hose and shoes, Every night and all,
Sit then down and put them on; And Christ receive your soul.
But if hose and shoes you gave none Every night and all,
The thorns shall prick you to the bare bone and Christ receive your soul.
From Thorny Moor then you may pass, Every night and all,
To Bridge of Dread you come at last and Christ receive your soul.
If ever you gave silver and gold, Every night and all,
At Bridge of Dread you'll find foothold and Christ receive your soul.
But if silver and gold you gave none, Every night and all:
You'll tumble down into Hell's flames and Christ receive your soul.
From Bridge of Dread then you may pass, Every night and all,
To Purgatory fire you'll come at last and Christ receive your soul.
If ever you gave meat or drink, Every night and all,
The fire will never make you shrink and Christ receive your soul.
But if meat or drink you gave none, Every night and all,
The fire will burn you to the bare bone and Christ receive your soul.
On this night, on this night, Every night and all,
Hearth and house and candle-light and Christ receive your soul.