We'll have a jug of
Your [best old March] beer,
And we'll come no more souling
Till this time next year.
With walking and talking
We get very dry,
I hope you good neighbours
Will never deny.
Put your hand in your pocket,
And pull out your keys.
Go down in your cellar
And draw what you please.
Eccleshall, 1884.
Another Variant.
Sing song. Soul, soul! for an apple or two!
If you've got no apples, pears'll do.
Up with your kettles and down with your pans,
Pray, good missis, a soul-cake!
Peter stands at yonder gate,
Waiting for a soul-cake.[1]
One for Peter, two for Paul,
Three for them that made us.
Souling-day comes once a-year,
That's the reason we come here.
Keele,1880.
Carol.
Sung by a nailmaker out of work, from Gornall in South Staffordshire, 26 February, 1886.
"The Jews they crucified Him, O! the Jews they crucified Him, O! the Jews they crucified Him, O!
"And nailed Him to a tree.
"Joseph begged His body, Joseph begged His body, Joseph begged His body,
"And laid it in a tomb.
- ↑ The picture of St. Peter waiting at Heaven's gate for the dole which is to purchase the admission thither of the poor souls in purgatory is very striking; there is more meaning perceptible here than in the old churning charm in which similar words occur.
