As the late afternoon drew on towards evening, a number of children—from eight to eighteen—and adults gathered in the Marketplace, humming and bundling up against the cold. Ebon grinned as he approached, seeing the wassailing chorus assembled and ready. "Are you excited?" he asked his son, Doran, standing beside him, and the boy nodded back. "Then let's give them a bit of seasonal cheer, shall we?"

Deck the halls with boughs of holly, Fa la la la la, la la la la. Tis the season to be jolly, Fa la la la la, la la la la. Don we now our gay apparel, Fa la la, la la la, la la la. Troll the ancient Yuletide carol, Fa la la la la, la la la la.

As the chorus began to move through the Marketplace, shoppers and vendors, those passing by and those standing about, all looked up at the sudden outburst of song.

See the blazing Yule before us, Fa la la la la, la la la la. Strike the harp and join the chorus. Fa la la la la, la la la la. Follow me in merry measure, Fa la la la la, la la la la. While I tell of Yule tide treasure, Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Smiles spread through the booths, stalls, and shops as the spirit of the season began to flow across the Marketplace. Patrons at beverage stalls raised their mugs in a toast, merchants shrugged and gave little discounts here and there, and even a few would-be muggers decided to let it go for the night.

Fast away the old year passes, Fa la la la la, la la la la. Hail the new, ye lads and lasses, Fa la la la la, la la la la. Sing we joyous, all together, Fa la la la la, la la la la. Heedless of the wind and weather, Fa la la la la, la la la la.

The choral procession—joined by a few extra voices who had no other plans for the evening—left the Marketplace and headed south down the main road towards the river bridge before turning west and then back north. Their songs changed as they went along, not sticking to any particular style. Some were ancient, others modern; some celebrated Yule, others Christmas and still others simply spoke of the winter season itself.

Now and then the procession would stop at a welcoming shop or home, to come in out of the cold and sing blessings to their hosts. This was the spirit of wassailing, and in thanks for their good wishes, the singers were offered hot cider or cakes. The latter were particularly enjoyed by the younger members of the chorus.

Singing drifted into the Bon Bon Boutique from the street outside, a chorus of voices drawing closer, until a band of singers came into view through the windows. They paused outside to finish their song, and then one of them opened the door, a young boy of ten years (almost eleven).

"Hi Katt!" Doran led the rush inside, followed by Ebon and the rest, mostly children and teens but some adults as well. "Can we sing for you and your customers?"

When that got a nod, the chorus lined up against the wall and windows opposite the counter, spreading out enough to leave room for patrons to pass by. Ebon stepped forward. "Thank you. We'd like to start with a tune from Earth....by the lyrics, it's a Christmas tune, but even for those who don't celebrate that holiday, it's a joyous celebration of the season." Then he stepped back into the group and nodded to Doran, who took a deep breath and began singing in a treble voice.

Hark how the bells, sweet silver bells, all seem to say, throw cares away

The other young children and women joined him in the main song, while the men and older boys began vocalizing the sound of bells in harmony.

Christmas is here, (ding) bringing good cheer, (dong) to young and old, (ding) meek and the bold. (dong)

Ding dong ding dong (ding) that is their song (dong) with joyful ring (ding) all caroling. (dong)

Now the full choir took up the song, adults and children alike.

One seems to hear words of good cheer from everywhere filling the air.

Oh how they pound, raising the sound, o'er hill and dale, telling their tale.

Gaily they ring while people sing songs of good cheer, Christmas is here.

Merry, Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas, Merry, Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas.

On on they send, on without end, their joyful tone to every home.

Then it dropped back to just the higher voices for the last few notes...

Ding....dong ding....dong

...and a final basso Dong! to finish it.

((cross-posted here))

The winter sun had already set and lamps lit the Rhy'Din streets as the band of carolers approached the end of their tour. They had long since left the Market district and entered Dragon's Gate, moving from block to block and regaling the homes and shops with winter holiday songs of all types. Now Ebon led them towards their last stop, the Heart Notes Parfumerie belonging to one of his dearest friends.

They approached the shop and assembled along the sidewalk outside, and then the mixed choir of women and men, girls and boys began to sing.

Here we come a-wassailing among the leaves so green; Here we come a-wandering, so fair to be seen.

Love and joy come to you, and to you our wassail, too. And God bless you and send you a Happy New Year And God bless you and send you a Happy New Year

We are not daily beggars that beg from door to door; But we are neighbours' children whom you have seen before.

Love and joy come to you, and to you our wassail, too. And God bless you and send you a Happy New Year And God bless you and send you a Happy New Year

We have a little purse made of ratching leather skin; We want a little sixpence to line it well within.

Love and joy come to you, and to you our wassail, too. And God bless you and send you a Happy New Year And God bless you and send you a Happy New Year

God bless the mistress of this house, likewise the master, too; And all the little children that round the table go.

Love and joy come to you, and to you our wassail, too. And God bless you and send you a Happy New Year And God bless you and send you a Happy New Year

"Joyous Winterfest to one and all!"

((cross-posted here))