slide 5
a pile of stone and a chimney
leaning against an old apple tree
the tin roof was removed and reused
on the new barn charred wood
suggesting a fire.
after they had moved out my great grandfather
used the building to house his still
built the way his father had taught him
the best spirit from the oldest trees
used to wassail each spring
poured over the roots
of the youngest trees.
Here's to thee, old apple tree,
Whence thou mayst bud
And whence thou mayst blow!
And whence thou mayst bear apples enow!
Hats full! Caps full!
Bushel—bushel—sacks full,
And my pockets full too! Huzza!
- Traditional South Devon Wassail quoted in the Gentleman’s Magazine, 1791,
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