Residue

Time to wash away the trials and tribulations of the last twelve months in a merry old flow of cider. I hope everyone reading this has managed to make it through 2012 in more or less one piece, and that 2013 will treat you all well.

Here's a traditional new year carol performed by Waterson:Carthy. The "residue" refrain is actually a corruption of the French levez a Dieu - "raise to God", a reference to communion - but it also conjures up the idea of dregs in empty glasses; surely an image for New Year if ever there was one.


Residue, sing residue
The water and the wine
Seven bright gold wires
And the trumpets doth shine

Here comes the maiden with gold on her toe;
Open the West gate and let the Old Year go.

Residue, sing residue
The water and the wine
Seven bright gold wires
And the trumpets doth shine

Here comes the maiden with gold on her shoe;
Open the South gate and let the New Year through.

Residue, sing residue
The water and the wine
Seven bright gold wires
And the trumpets doth shine

Here comes the maiden with gold on her chin;
Open the East gate and let the New Year in.

Residue, sing residue
The water and the wine
Seven bright gold wires
And the trumpets doth shine

Here comes the maiden with gold in her eye;
Open the North gate and let the Old Year by.