Music For The Eighth Day Of Christmas

Llanllawer Holy Well, and stream Pembrokeshire       Photograph: Richard Law

Here is a Welsh carol for New Year's Day set to the music of the British composer, Benjamin Britten. The custom of Levy Dew derives from an ancient tradition of drawing water from a well and sprinkling it on townspeople as a means of cleansing or preparing them to face the new year.

Here we bring new water from the well so clear
To worship God, with this happy New Year

Sing levy dew, sing levy dew, the water and the wine;
the seven bright gold wires and the bugles that do shine.

Sing reign of Fair Maid, with gold upon her toe,
Open you the West Door, and turn the Old Year go.
Sing levy dew, sing levy dew, etc.

Sing reign of Fair Maid, with gold upon her chin,
Open you the East Door, and let the New Year in.
Sing levy dew, sing levy dew, etc.