The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

ST. STEPHEN'S DAY

ST. STEVEN@S DAY WAS A MEMORABLE DAY IN IRELAND, ITS SOMETHING LIKE
OUR HALLOWEEN, ONLY ADULTS AND TEENS PARTICIPATED IN IT. THEY COME
TO EVERY HOUSE AND SANG: " THE WRAN ( WREN ), THE WRAN THE KING
OF ALL THE BIRDS ST. STEVEN'S DAY HE WAS CAUGHT IN THE FURGE
ALTHOUGH HE IS LITTLE HIS FAMILY IS GREAT. I PRAY YOU YOUNG LADY
TO GIVE US A TRAIT ( TREAT ) SING HALLY, SING WY, SING WY, SING HALLY
TO KEEP A BAD CHRISTMAS IT IS BUT A FOLLY FOR CHRISTMAS COMES BUT
ONCE A YEAR AND WHEN IT COMES IT BRINGS GOOD CHEER." THE
PEOPLE OFTEN CARRIED WRENS THAT THEY CAUGHT THE DAY BEFORE ON A STICK
AS THEY WENT FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE THAT NIGHT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ST. STEPHEN'S DAY

Date learned: 11-18-1970