On Saint Stephen's day boys and men dress in old bags and rags and go through the towns and country getting money to bury the wren. There is a story told about the wren. One Saint Stephen's day there was a skirmish fought between the Irish and English. The English were asleep and their enemies were approaching them. The wren was in the furze and hopped on their drum and made a noise. The English awoke and beat back the Irish. This is why the wren is not liked by Irishmen. The following few lines are written about the wren -
"The wren, the wren, the king of all birds,
On Saint Stephen's day was hid in the furze.