There were generally twelve or fourteen of them,
fine strapping young fellows, between eighteen and
five and twenty years of age ; they were dressed in
their Sunday's best, with many-coloured ribbons in
their hats, and scarfs across their breasts. One of
them carried the holly bush, also adorned with
ribbons, on top of which was the wren. Another
was dressed up as the aumadhawn, or fool ; his
coat was a sack, with holes in it for his head, legs,
and arms to come through; his head-dress was a
hare-skin, and on his face he wore a hideous mask ;
in his hand he carried a stick with a bladder tied to
the end of it. His duty was to keep order. This he
did by whacking all offenders with this weapon. The
party was accompanied by a piper or a fiddler, often by
both ; they were followed by a crowd of country boys
and girls, whom the aumadhawn kept at a respectful
distance. Thus equipped and accompanied, they
visited the houses of the gentry and strong farmers.
The entertainment began by the singing of the
wren song, of which I remember only the following
verse : —



cc



The wren, the wren, the king of all birds.
Saint Stephen's Day, was caught in the furze ;
Although he is little, his family's great,
Eise up, lords and ladies, and give us a treat."



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WURRUM8.
107



Then came the dancing of merry jigs and reels.
