Hello Friends A hallow'en poem for you which includes some of the customs in Ireland.
Hallow Eve in Ireland 'Tis Hallow Eve, 'tis Hallow Eve, the fire is burning bright, The faces of the loved and young are round us here to-night; Shut out the cold, pull down the blinds, draw closer round the hearth, How Mary's eyes of witching blue are dancing with the mirth. The table's laid, the tea poured out, the cake is piping hot See Maggie blushing like a rose - the ring the rogue has got Her little heart is beating fast - what will the year unfold? Say will that slender finger fair be circled by plain gold! Come, put the griddle on the fire, and let it heat a while. Two grains of wheat place side by side,wiseacres do not smile; For Harry's certain in her heart, she'll read the riddle right A constant lover he will prove or fickle one tonight They both turn brown one hops aside, then farther moves away, A shadow passes o'er her face like morning's mist of grey But see it moves comes, back again, " forgive my heart for doubting." She says it plainly with her eyes, her rosebud lips half pouting. A pair of nuts fair Kitty now, lays down with trembling fingers, We know the one that's meant for him, it scarce a minute lingers; But hops away like fairy elf, too hot the rascal's getting. And soon the one it left behind is likewise off coquetting, At hide-and-seek they seem to play, advancing then retreating, But yet they draw the closer still the more the shells are heating; Until at length like loving hearts that all in all confide, They come together with a bound and burn out side by side "Snap-apple" come who'll have a try ! Tom turn it something brisker, The candle grazes Janie's eye and singes up Joe's whisker While Bridget standing watchfully the prize she fain would grapple Now nimbly as a bird glides in and carries off the apple. The tub with water filled is placed upon the kitchen floor, A sixpence at the bottom shines like precious golden ore. How Peter kept his head below so long I cannot tell, But Rosie proved herself that night a regular diving belle. But see the girls are trooping out the carpet's off the parlour. Young Annie gives us "Auld Lang Syne," God bless the bright caroller. The old folks sip their punch aside, talk of the crops and weather; Match-making all the mother's work their heads are close together, And yet the plans they often lay but seldom reach fruition, As often are they far astray as cutest politician, For heart to heart will ever cling without once asking leave. God bless old Ireland's hopes tonight and bless each Hallow-Eve Artane Transcribed by Teena from Wexford People - 30 October 1880 Cheers~ _______________________________________________ [email protected] UlsterAncestry Mailing List Searchable Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ http://lists.cotyrone.com/mailman/listinfo/ulsterancestry Website: https://cotyrone.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CoTyroneIrelandGenealogy/
