The Harvest Catch in Norfolk

The last thing before parting at a Norfolk harvest supper was a health-drinking catch sung first to the mistress and then to the master. Everyone stood and sang the chorus while the glass went round, beginning with the lord of the harvest and ending with the harvestmen of years gone by. Anyone who drank off his beer at the wrong pause, or sang half for off, paid a forfeit, and in a large family the catch might go on through every branch with verses made up on the spot. Essex harvestmen sang much the same healths to master and mistress over their roast beef and plum pudding.