<P> I wish you a merry Christmas And a happy New Year, A pantryful of good roast - beef, And barrels full of beer . </P> <P> After they are allowed in and perform a Mummers play, the boys are served beer by the farmer's maid . </P> <P> Another example is recorded in 1883, from the villages of Burford, Church Stretton and Worthen in the English county of Shropshire: </P> <P> I wish you a merry Christmas, a happy New Year, A pocket full of money, and a cellar full of beer; A good fat pig to last you all the year . Please to give me a New Year's gift . </P>

Who sang we wish you a merry christmas