Tonight it is the New-year's night / Hagmena Song

Traditional ballad

To-night it is the New-year's night, to-morrow is the day,
And we are come for our right, and for our ray,
As we used to do in old King Henry's day.
Sing, fellows, sing, Hagman-heigh.
If you go to the bacon-flick, cut me a good bit;
Cut, cut and low, beware of your maw;
Cut, cut and round, beware of your thumb,
That me and my merry men may have some,
Sing, fellows, sing, Hagman-heigh.
If you go to the black-ark, bring me X mark;
Ten mark, ten pound, throw it down upon the ground,
That me and my merry men may have some.
Sing, fellows, sing, Hagman-heigh.

The custom of singing Hagmena songs is observed in different parts of both England and Scotland. The origin of the term is a matter of dispute. The Hagmena songs are sometimes sung on Christmas Eve and a few of the preceding nights, and sometimes, on the eve of the new year.