The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

IRISH WAKE

IN THE OLD DAYS, AFTER SOMEONE DIED, THE PEOPLE USED
TO WAIT AND WATCH FOR THREE DAYS TO SEE IF THE PERSON
WOULD WAKE UP FROM A FIT.

Submitter comment: NOTE: SOMETIME CELEBRATING WAS INVOLVED IN THE HOPE
THAT THE PERSON WOULD WAKE UP. JIM TOLD ME THIS CUSTOM
AFTER HE HEARD JOHN GRIFFIN'S VERSION.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Date learned: 11-22-1968