School: Banahoe
- Location:
- Banagher, Co. Cavan
- Teacher: A. Mac an Bháird
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0978, Page 037
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- XML School: Banahoe
- XML Page 037
- XML “Mummers”
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- December 26th is the day for Mummers. Small boys form into parties of from two to six and go from house to house. Sometimes they carry a dead wren which they carry suspended by a cord from a small branch. In this locality they only come to the door of the house where they stand for a moment in the hope of getting a copper or two. If, however, they are asked to sing, they commence the Wren Song (pronounced Ran Song), of which the following is a version:-
The wren, the wren,
The King of all birds,
On St. Stephen's day,
She was found in the furze
Rise up little lady
And give us a treat,
A penny or twopence
To bury the wren.
If the coppers are not forthcoming then, they conclude:-
Money we want
Money we crave
If you don't give us money
We'll make the grave.(continues on next page)
- Informant
- John Smith
- Gender
- Male
- Age
- 31
- Address
- Cross Keys, Co. Cavan
