The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

IRISH WAKE STORY

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

MCCARTHY ACCOMPANIED SOME FRIENDS TO VIEW THE BODY OF MIKE
CLANCY. AT THAT TIME, THE BODY WAS ALWAYS LAID OUT AT
HOME, SO AFTER PAYING THEIR RESPECTS IN THE LIVING ROOM,
THEY WENT TO THE KITCHEN FOR A DROP OR TWO. THEY SOON
WERE IN THE BASEMENT WHERE A FEW BARRELS WERE ON TAP
AND BEFORE LONG THEY WERE WELL UNDER THE INFLUENCE.
STORIES WERE TOLD, SONGS WERE SUNG, ROASTS TO THE
DECEASED WERE DRUNK WELL INTO THE MORNING.
HALLAHAN WIPED AWAY THE FOAM AND LAMENTING SAID,
"SURE, AND IT'S TOO BAD WE HAVE TO BURY CLANCY IN THE
MORNING." MC CARTHY, BY NOW NOT REALIZING WHAT THE
OCCASION WAS, SHOUTED WITH JOY, "LET'S NOT BURY CLANCY
AT ALL-AT ALL. LET'S STUFF HIM AND KEEP THE PARTY
GOING!"

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 00-00-1964