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School: Roxboro, Luimneach (roll number 15680)

Location:
Roxborough, Co. Limerick
Teacher:
Máire, Bean Uí Gheallagáin
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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0525, Page 031

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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0525, Page 031

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  1. XML School: Roxboro, Luimneach
  2. XML Page 031
  3. XML “Local Customs - St Stephen's Day”

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  1. Local Customs - St Stephen's Day

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    There is a custom around this district to follow in disguise the wren on St. Stephens Day. The young boys in disguise go in groups of three or four from house to house playing music singing and dancing and collecting money which they spend in the evening. The rhymes they usually sing are :-
    “The Wren the Wren the king of all birds
    St. Stephens was caught in the furze
    Up with the kettle and down with the pan
    Give us a Hansel and let us be gone”
    “We followed the Wren three mikes or more
    From Caherconlish to Cappamore
    We broke his back and we bent his knee
    And we brought him home in the holly tree”
    “We followed the Wren from rock to rock
    We followed him into a porter shop
    We stuck his head in a bottle of beer
    We wish you all a happy new year”
    “The Wren the Wren he is the king
    The Eagle said he is no such thing
    Although he is little his family is great
    So up good lady and give us a treat”
    Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.
    History Edit
    Topics
    1. events
      1. events (by time of year) (~11,476)
        1. Feast of St Stephen (~402)
    Language
    English
    Collector
    Joan Greensmyth
    Gender
    Female
    Address
    Roxborough, Co. Limerick