Re: Happy Boxing Day! (off topic again)

[Guest guest]

>

> One tidbit I forgot- rememebr that England is only one country in

the

> UK, so things differ in the various countries.

>

> You know the carol " Good King Wenceslas " ?

>

> Well, the feast of is 26 December, boxing day, and that is

what

> it is called in Ireland.

>

> " Good King Wenceslas looked out on the Feast of ,

> When the snow lay round about, deep and crisp and even.

> Brightly shone the moon that night, though the frost was cruel,

> When a poor man came in sight, gathering winter fuel. "

>

> Music and lyrics for Good King Wenceslas

> <http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/g/o/goodking.htm>

>

> Other things about boxing day in England:

> it is traditional for families to get together, eat, play games,

have

> fun. For that reason it is also the traditional day to go fox

hunting,

> which although banned, still occurs because people who fox hunt are

rich

> usually and believe themselves to be above the law (my opinion),

it's a

> day to shop in the post-Christmas sales if you enjoy waiting in

queue

> all day (we do love queues, us Brits), and its the day when

> traditionally boys (In Ireland, England, and I believe Isle of Man)

> would hunt wrens.

>

> The " WRen Boys " would go around with the wren to collect money,

singing:

> " /The wren, the wren, the king of all birds On St 's Day was

> caught in the furze,

> We hunted him far and hunted him near And found him under the

bushes here.

> Huzzah, my boys, huzzah! Huzzah, my boys, huzzah!

> Knock at the door and ring at the bell, And give us some coppers

for

> singing so well./ "

>

> The collected money would go towards the 5 January community

> festivities. That's 12th night!

>

> Will write individual emails about 12th night if anyone is

interested

> and if the moddies let me live after two long off topic posts...

>

> Bethann

>

> Hi Bethann..

Madonna here...thanks for that...I really enjoy learning about the

different cultures of people...enjoyed that info and Happy Holidays

to you!!

>

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