School: Glenidan (roll number 12862)
- Location:
- Gleann Fhiodan, Co. na hIarmhí
- Teacher: Bean Uí Mhaoldhia
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0722, Page 054
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- XML School: Glenidan
- XML Page 054
- XML “Festival Customs”
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- St. Stephens Day ; On this day all the children and young men of this district dress up and go around with the wren. They disfigure themselves in every manner by putting false faces on them, and turning their coats inside out. In the queer old hat which they were they put a crown of turkey or geese fathers. One if the party plays music while the accompanying wren boys dance or sing songs. They get some money from tr people of the house. If they are children they get a piece if the plum pudding, as they go about from house they sing =
"The wren, the wren the king of all birds. St. Stephens day she was caught in the furze.
Although she was small her family was great
Rise up land lady and give us a treat.
Our brogs are worn and our cloths are thorn
Give us some money yo buy some more
Up with the kettle and down with the pan
Give us some money to buy some more
Up with the kettle and down with the pan
Give us some money to buy some more
Up with the kettle and down with the pan
Give us some money to but the wren
Before Christmas the people sing ;-
Christmas is coming the geese is getting fat
Please put a penny in the old man's hat
If you have not a penny a halfpenny will do(continues on next page)
- Collector
- Frances Fitzsimons
- Gender
- Female
