Abstract: Story collected by Kathleen T. Clancy, a student at Faythe school (The Faythe, Co. Wexford) (no informant identified).
Original reference: 0882/1/44
School Faythe [Vol. 0882, Chapter 0001]
County The Schools' Manuscript Collection : County Wexford Schools
Mumming [duchas:5002464]
There are two different types of mummers. One of these types was very common in my father's youth but it is not to be seen nowadays. Mumming is indeed a very old Irish custom. The mummers go around from house to houes in the country. They receive a warm welcome from the household who have invited them to act their interesting play. The captain enters, taps the door with his sword as a warning to the quests that the mummers are about to begin. They march around in a circle first. Then they form a figure. Captain says " I hope you will good over keep. And strict attention pay. And listen to those heroes. And what they have got to say. The first he is the bold prince George. Great fortune on him smile. The next he is saint Patrick, the patron of our Isle. Next comes Boneparte, Lord Wellington comes out next
Mumming [duchas:5002465]
After him comes the grandsignior. And the brave old doctor next. And five other of our set. Captain: here i am. the captain bold i fear no rebels throng, with jewels and bands and revels grand. The thought we do belong. Captain and doctor walk up and down the floor while the grandsignior is knealing on one knee badly wounded. Captain cannot get on without him. He offers a reward to doctor if he can him, but he will not accept the fee then captain offers him ten thousand pounds if he cures the grandsignior. Captain: what can you cure doctor? Doctor: i can cure what i think fit. The deaf, the dumb, i can outwit. I can cure a jealous wife and maker her lead a virtuous life. I can cure measles the gout and if the devil was in him, i would run him out. My granny's brains I once puled out
Mumming [duchas:5002466]
I took them and washed them at the spout. And in a years time they were no better. Doctor says, arise grandsignior and fight again. At the conclusion Captain thanks the owners of the house and says, Long may you reign With your pockets lined with silver. And your hearts full of cheer, I wish you a happy Christmas And a merry new year. I have seen the second type of mumming myself just before Christmas. An Irish reel is played by the musician while they beat the sticks keeping time to the music which is usually played on a melodian. First they form a circle and dance in and out through one another. Then the captain names the great men in history. Each man takes the part of some great Irish man. The are dressed in green robes reaching from the shoulder to the knee and pleated from the waist down and tied with a
Mumming [duchas:5002467]
green sash. The also wear green and yellow paper hats with a peach on top.
Original reference: 0882/1/44
Mumming
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