School: Gort Uí Chluana, Beanntraí
- Location:
- Gort Tí Cluana, Co. Chorcaí
- Teacher: Seán 7 Tadhg Ó Súilleabháin
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0285, Page 006
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- For days before St. Stephen's the boys of the locality are busily engaged in hunting down a few wrens. Early on St. Stephen's morning they disguise themselves in all manner of fantastic garments; and go forth from house to house. One bears on his shoulder a decorated holly bush from which they suspend one or more dead wrens. In front of each house where a subscription is likely to be received they stop and sing their Wren Song a part of which runs as follows.
"The wren the wren the King of all Birds
St. Stephen's day he was caught in the furze
Although he's little, his family's great
Rise up land lady and give us a trate
And if you'll fill it of the best
I home in Heaven your soul will rest
We hunted this wren for miles and more
We hunted him up to the stable
We knocked him down and he cannot see
How nice he looks on a holly tree"
(Chorus) Fala-ra-la-ra-la-ral (3 times)
Money gathered during the rounds is now usually devoted to "a ball" on that night - or soon after.(continues on next page)
- Collector
- Dan Coughlan
- Gender
- Male
- Address
- An Scairt, Co. Chorcaí
