On this 7th day of Christmas and the last day of an extremely difficult year, I offer you a lovely Elizabethan carol. This obscure gem, when it is known, has several titles, including “All Hail to the Days,” “In Praise of Christmas,” and “Drive the Cold Winter Away.” The 12 days of Christmas begin on December 25th and last until January 5th, with January 6th being Three Kings Day in many countries. The lyrics of this English ballad mention these 12 days specifically and include seasonal festivities common around 1625, when this carol first appeared. There’s wassailing, theatre performances, and, of course, feasting. I hope you enjoy hearing me sing this carol with lyre accompaniment!
