School: Clonmacnoise

Location:
Clonmacnoise, Co. Offaly
Teacher:
P. Ó Maolmhuaidh
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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0812, Page 140

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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0812, Page 140

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  3. XML “The Cuckoo”

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  1. The first time you hear the Cuckoo in the year, if you look on the ground and see a white hair at your feet it is a sign that you will live to be very old, and have grey hair. In some places the people look for the hair on the sole of the right foot.
    Whatever direction you are facing when you hear the Cuckoo first in the Spring-time, you will live in that direction before the year is out.
    If you are facing the graveyard it is a bad sign.
    If the Cuckoo sings on a bare thorn you can sell your cattle and buy corn.
    The Cuckoo comes in April,
    She sings her song in May,
    In leafy June, she changes her tune,
    And in July she flies away.
    (continues on next page)
    Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.
    Language
    English