Contrary to popular opinion (thanks a lot, Peter, Paul and Mary!) this is a song for All Soul's Day (NOT Christmas -- that was 'Wassailing'), when children would go house to house asking for "Soul Cakes" (fruit cake comes closest to what we have today) in return for offering prayers for the giver's loved ones who died over the past year so their stay in purgatory would be shortened. Often to gain more prayers, the giver would offer additional gifts (money) to the 'beggars'.
Contrary to popular opinion (thanks a lot, Peter, Paul and Mary!) this is a song for All Soul's Day (NOT Christmas -- that was 'Wassailing'), when children would go house to house asking for "Soul Cakes" (fruit cake comes closest to what we have today) in return for offering prayers for the giver's loved ones who died over the past year so their stay in purgatory would be shortened. Often to gain more prayers, the giver would offer additional gifts (money) to the 'beggars'.
libraryjim59 3 months ago