School: An Bháinseach (C.) (roll number 11965)

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1. Hunting the Wren on St Stephen's Day (continued)

   

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   It is the custom in most rural districts in Ireland to follow the wren on St. Stephen's Day. Young boys and girls also, dress up in all kinds of funny garb completely disguising themselves. They usually go in groups of five or six, one of the members carry a holly bush, another a melodion. They travel around from house to house singing:-

   "The wren, the wren the King of all birds,
   St. Stephen's Day he was caught in the furzes,
   Although he is little, his family is great,
   Rise up landlady and give us a "trate"
   This is the wren as you may see,
   Come foremost on a holly-tree,
   A bunch of ribbons by his side,
   And the Bansha boys to be his guide,
   We followed the wren all day, all day,
   Through muck, through mire, through "yella" clay,
   We bet him blind, till he could not see,
   And we carried him home on a holly tree,
   Up with the kettle and down with the pan,
   Give us our answer and let us begone."

   

   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Topics

   1. events
      1. events (by time of year) (~11,476)
         1. Feast of St Stephen (~402)

   Language

   English

   Collector

   Mary Doherty

   Gender

   Female

   Address

   Bansha, Co. Tipperary

   Informant

   Mrs C. Fleming

   Gender

   Female

   Age

   60

   Address

   Brownbog, Co. Tipperary