The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

SHWAREE

KIDNAPPING A GROOM FROM HIS BRIDE ON HIS WEDDING NIGHT. WHEN THE
GROOM WAS KIDNAPPED HE WAS BLIND FOLDED, WITH HIS HANDS AND FEET TIED
TOGETHER. HE WAS THEN TAKEN OUT INTO THE WOOD AND LEFT,
HE HAD TO FIND
HIS OWN WAY BACK TO THE CABIN. WHEN HE DID AND IF HE DID FIND THE
WAY BACK, A GROUP OF PEOPLE WOULD THEN GATHER AT THE COUPLES'S DOOR
AND SING LOVE SONGS WISHING THEM HAPPINESS THROUGHOUT MARRIED LIFE
TOGETHER.

Submitter comment: THIS CUSTOM WAS VERY POPULAR WITH THE PEOPLE WHO LIVED IN THE SOUTH.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT