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School: Rathcarran (roll number 4370)

Location:
Ráth Chairn, Co. Meath
Teacher:
Caitlín Ní Chonnachtáin
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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0697, Page 412

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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0697, Page 412

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  3. XML “Festival Customs”

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  1. Festival Customs

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    On St Stephen's day boys gather together and go from house to house playing music. They blacken their faces so that the people will not know them, and beg for money. They sing the wren song "The wren, the wren, the king of all birds, Saint Stephen's day he was caught in the furs, although he is little, his family is great, rise up, land - lady, and give us a treat. Up with the kettle and down with the pan give us our answer and let us be gone. My coat is tore, my brogs are wore following this wren three days or more. Up with the kettle and down with the pan give us our answer and let us be gone." Grown - up people wear
    (continues on next page)
    Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.
    History Edit
    Topics
    1. events
      1. events (by time of year) (~11,476)
    Language
    English
    Collector
    Betty Cusack
    Gender
    Female
    Informant
    John Cusack
    Gender
    Male
    Age
    c. 45
    Address
    Baile Mhistéil, Co. Meath