School: Marshalstown (roll number 12741)
- Location:
- Marshalstown, Co. Wexford
- Teacher: Seosamh Ó Macháin
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0893, Page 059
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- 59Festival Customs
On St Stephens's day a number of boys and men gather together and catch the wren, then they put it in a box and tie the box on a decorated bush with ribbons and flowers tied out of it. Then one person would take the bush and carry it while the others marched along in pairs after him singing the Wren Song-
The Wren, The Wren
The King of all Birds
Saint Stephens Day
He got caught in the furs
Although he is little
His power is great
So rise up kind Sir
And give us a treat.
They would sing the end of this song when they would be at some house and the people of the house would give them some money. They would travel all day from house to house(continues on next page)
