An historic Boxing Day custom, dropped at Newfoundland a whole lot of years in the past, persists in some Irish Catholic communities even to this present day.
One thing known as the Wren, or the Wren Boys, is practiced in some locations on St. Stephen’s Day, now popularly often known as Boxing Day.
Boys, or typically males, would go door-to-door with an effigy of a fowl, in search of a deal with after reciting a brief poem based on folklorist Dale Jarvis.
“The Wren, the Wren, the king of all birds
On St. Stephen’s Day was caught within the furze,
Though he was little, his honour was nice,
Stand up my woman, and provides us a deal with,
Up with the kettle, and down with the pan,
Give us a penny to bury the Wren.”
Jarvis says it’s considered one of many visiting sort traditions surrounding the Christmas season.
He likens it a bit to Hallowe’en. He says youngsters would possibly get a little bit of change or a sweet or deal with, whereas males would possibly get a “drop to drink” on their journey.
The custom remains to be carried out in some communities notably these on the Southern Shore and Conception Bay Heart.
