you are listening to:
"the Arrival of the Wren Boys" and "the Wren in the Furze" by the Chieftains

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St. Stephan's Day is a traditional Irish Holiday, celebrated the Day after Christmas. The holiday has very little connection to the actual Christian martyr anymore, but does have an interesting tale behind it.

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The legend behind the wren has many different plots, but most commonly it is likened to Jesus, or to St. Stephan himself. When St. Stephan's Day was new, boys in the villages would chase down a wren and then kill it, attach it to a pole and go about their village, singing songs and asking for leftover food and money for a dance later than evening.

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These days, false wrens or no wrens are used (don't freak out, PETA) and generally the holiday is the perfect time to visit neighbors, family and friends. When I think of the perfect St. Stephan's Day, I imagine hiking about in the snow and visiting my friends. I would sing a little song, bum some booze and steal their left overs.

Should you want to partake in some festivities, do give me a buzz -- there will be some left over laziness at the Curly Hair & Pirate Complex. I only ask you sing a song.