School: Emly (B.) (roll number 16059)

Location:
Emly, Co. Tipperary
Teacher:
Tomás Ó Lachtnáin
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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0580, Page 116

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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0580, Page 116

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  1. XML School: Emly (B.)
  2. XML Page 116
  3. XML “Going With the Wren on St Stephen's Day”

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  1. Boys go around with the wren on St. Stephen's Day. They go around to collect money. This custom is there for a long time.
    They go around in groups. They carry with them a holly bush decorated with coloured ribbons. They also carry a dead wren on the bush. They kill the wren a few days before.
    They go around all day with the wren. They go to each house singing a verse of a song at each and dancing. The people of the house give them money. Then they move on to the next house. They start early in the morning.
    This is the verse they sing:
    The wren, the wren, the King of all birds,
    St. Stephen's day she was caught in the furze.
    Although she was little her family was great,
    Rise up my lady and give us a treat.
    We followed this wren al day, all day,
    Through water mud and yellow clay.
    We hit her a tip at the butt of the knee,
    And knocked her off the Holly tree.
    The wren, the wren, she is the King.
    The eagle says she's no such thing.
    A bunch of ribbons by her side
    And the Emly boys to be her guide.
    So up with the kettle and down with the pan.
    (continues on next page)
    Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.
    Topics
    1. events
      1. events (by time of year) (~11,476)
        1. Feast of St Stephen (~402)
    Language
    English
    Collector
    Thomas Burke
    Gender
    Male
    Address
    Moanmore, Co. Tipperary