Somerset Carol

Folk song

Come all you worthy gentlemen, sometimes referred to as the Somerset Carol, is an English folk carol of unknown authorship. It was collected from a Mr. Rapsey, of Bridgwater during the English Folk-song revival at the beginning of the 20th century by Cecil Sharp. It was first published in 1905 in Sharp and Marson's Folk songs from Somerset. According to Sharp, it is a variant of the carol God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen. The singer told Cecil Sharp that the carol had been taught to him by his mother and that, in company with other children, he used to sing it in the streets of Bridgwater at Christmas time, thus fitting it in with the Wassail tradition. To Sharp's knowledge, the carol had not been recorded or printed until it was noted at the turn of the 20th century. The carol was later used by Sharp's friend and fellow collector, Ralph Vaughan Williams, in his 1912 Fantasia on Christmas Carols.

While most of us now hear Somerset Carol on a CD or streaming service, its roots lie in the noisy, festive lanes of Bridgwater. Children would belt it out while wandering from door to door, their voices mingling with the clatter of market stalls and the smell of mulled cider. That communal, almost improvisational setting gives the tune an energy that feels surprisingly fresh today. When adding it to a contemporary Christmas playlist, look for versions that retain a brisk tempo and clear vocal harmonies – those capture the original street‑sing spirit. Pair it with an acoustic guitar or a simple piano accompaniment, and you’ll hear the same lively invitation to join the merriment that echoed through Somerset’s streets over a century ago.

If you wish to revive the wassail custom in your home, Somerset Carol makes an ideal anthem. Start by gathering a small group of friends or family around a low table laden with mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, and a sprig of holly. Teach the first verse together, encouraging each participant to add a slight ornament to the melody – a traditional way children would personalise the song while roaming the town. Once everyone feels comfortable, let the carol serve as a cue to raise a toast, echoing the historic practice of singing for goodwill and a bountiful harvest. The simple, repetitive structure means even beginners can join in, turning a simple tune into a heartfelt communal rite.

Somerset Carol is often eclipsed by the heavyweight "God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen," yet its survival tells a broader story about regional voices shaping the national Christmas soundtrack. Its collection by Cecil Sharp highlighted the importance of oral transmission – a reminder that many beloved carols once lived only in the mouths of working‑class families. By preserving and performed today, it adds texture to the festive repertoire, offering listeners a glimpse of early 20th‑century rural England. Including it in holiday gatherings not only diversifies the music but also honours the countless unnamed singers whose street‑corner renditions kept the tune alive.