The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

FIXED DATE FESTIVAL

CHILDREN CAN BE VERY CRUEL, AND ONE OF THE THINGS THE
CHILDREN BACK HOME DO IS TO GO OUT ON ST. STEPHEN'S
DAY (DEC. 26) WITH BIG NOVELTY STOCKS AND HUNT DOWN
A LITTLE BIRD CALLED THE WREN. THEY KILL THE BIRD
AND PUT THE CORPSE IN THE MIDDLE OF A HOLLY WREATH,
AND DECORATE IT WITH RIBBONS AND COLORED PAPERS AND
THINGS, AND THEY GO AROUND FROM DOOR TO DOOR SINGING
SONGS AND COLLECTING MONEY FOR THE FUNERAL.

Submitter comment: THE ABOVE IS A QUOTE FROM A RECORD OF IRISH FOLK
SONGS THAT MIKE HEARD AT A FRIEND'S HOME. IT IS AN
INTRODUCTION TOLD BY THE SINGERS TO EXPLAIN THE
MEANING BEHIND ONE OF THE SONGS. THIS SONG WAS ONE
OF THE SONGS THE CHILDREN SANG AS THEY CARRIED THE
DEAD WREN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 09-29-1971