Fifty years ago Mumming first began. Twelve men were in a set. Each man wore a dress representing a general. There were also two men who were called fools. When the Mummers would be going into a house to mum the two fools and a Musicianer would go in front of them. The fools would have a stick each and an eye fiddle (aghaidh fidil). When the captain would go in he would start a rhyme.
Here I am the Captain bold
I lead no rebel throng
But a chosen band of heroes grand
To Saltmills we do belong.
In the middle of the performance Julius Caesar and Grand Signore would get into a row . The captain would call a doctor when one of them would be wounded. The captain would ask the doctor what can you cure. The doctor would answer:-
"I can cure what I think fit,"
A sudden death I can outwit.
The pock the palsey and the gout.
If the devil is in I will root him out,An Dothra BheagAnaithnidAnaithnidPoulfur National SchoolAnaithnidPoulfur National School