Roud 808 : “Christmas is Now Drawing Near at Hand”

Roud 808, Christmas is Now Drawing Near at Hand.
This dark, fascinating and rather rmoralising ballad was apparently a popular choice for singers who were begging around the festive season.
It was also collected from Traveller people in and around the West Midlands, by Sharp and Vaughan Williams.
A version of this song was printed in Birmingham (aka Broadside Motown) in 1910.
There’s also a version that was collected in the early C20 from Camborne, Cornwall.
Rude kids, posh people wearing too much makeup - the world is clearly going to ruin…
Enjoy the sounds of Haunted Ernestine, my lovely new harmonium.
🖤

[@FrankBirtwistle]

🙂