It's that time of year again. Prepare the boiling oil to repel boarders with pitchpipes.

We think there's something terribly suspicious about this British Christmas carol.

It demands:

• Money to put in a rabbit skin purse.
• Beer from the butler.
• Mouldy cheese.
• A Christmas loaf.
• Kids knocking over furniture.

We think a lot of beer came before these requests. And what the heck is this 'was-SAIL' business, anyway?

Note: We also suspect this song was frequently sung in the East End of London. 'Tablecloth' doesn't rhyme with 'Christmas loaf' in our neck of the woods. But we can imagine Tim Roth singing it, although it would make our ears hurt.

Dmitri Gheorgheni

11.12.17 Front Page

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