2528 we wish you a merry christmas

We wish you a Merry Christmas;
We wish you a Merry Christmas;
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Good tidings we bring to you and your kin;
Good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Oh, bring us a figgy pudding;
Oh, bring us a figgy pudding;
Oh, bring us a figgy pudding and a cup of good cheer
We won't go until we get some;
We won't go until we get some;
We won't go until we get some, so bring some out here

We wish you a Merry Christmas;
We wish you a Merry Christmas;
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

1)

What is the origin of this song ?

2) What do the words tidings – cheer – kin mean ?


KEY

Explanation about the song
"We Wish You a Merry Christmas" is a popular secular 16th century English carol from West
Country of England. It is one of the few traditional holiday carols that makes mention of the
New Year's celebration.
In the days of Olde England, groups of traveling singers would entertain for food or pay.
These groups were called "waits" and were extremely popular at Christmastime. We Wish You

a Merry Christmas is one of these old tunes.
We wish you a Merry Christmas History has its roots in England. However the author and the
composer of the song still remains unknown to the whole world. Therefore the date of the
publication of the song is not known. This song We wish you a Merry Christmas actually
reflects the Christmas tradition of showering gifts on the people who wandered from house
to house, singing these Christmas songs to please the wealthy people of the community.

cheer noun ( SHOUT )
/tʃɪər /
a loud shout of approval or encouragement

kin plural noun
kɪn/

OLD-FASHIONED

family and relations

tidings plural noun
/ˈtaɪ.dɪŋz/

OLD USE

news
tidings of great joy