( Log Out /  Joe McGowna's Sligo Heritage website where you will find a great article on Mummers and Strawboys. "Tenderness" by General Public was partly inspired by the outbreak of AIDS, which at the time was thought to be contagious. In a matter of days, thousands of people decked out in colorful costumes will strut down Broad Street in Philadelphia for the longest-running traditional folk parade in the country. They're not permitted to play any brass instruments and only use saxophones, banjos, accordions, violins, percussion instruments (including glockenspiels) and bass violins. A merry Christmas to you all As time went on, the mummers began to beg for food or drink from those in the area after performing a skit (often satirical) or poem. Mummers who play music while strutting down Broad St. Mummers have had a bad history concerning blackface, which was officially banned in 1964 but has been spotted several times in the years since. What is a Mummer? The word “pagan” originally meant “rural,” “rustic,” and “of the country.” This word referred to people who lived in rural areas who lived close to nature, and practiced their own folk religions. Change ). River dance and Braveheart certainly primed the pump, but "The Mummers' Dance" [screenshot of Hot 100 airplay charts with song title and dates circled] first charts on the week of December 20, 1997, and peaked in March of 1998. (again, tying a ribbon around the trees to honor them, and the spirits of the trees. It is the belief that everything has a spirit – not only humans, but animals, rocks, trees, plants, soil, the earth, the planets and suns, everything has its own spirit. New Year's Day is filled with their partying in Center City and South Philadelphia. 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 , No. "In Philadelphia, it used to be a celebration of rivalry between the neighborhoods," Martz said. Mummers and mumming can be dated to at least the 14 th Century, although the form varies. Generally, mummer's plays are always in verse and usually the main theme is a combat between two heroes, the fall of one of them, and his revival by a doctor. To get the full effect of the song, you will of course need to listen to it. -Edmund Burke, Quotes Open the door and let us in. They're best documented during the medieval period, where the mummers' play was a popular pastime for the poor. Content: Mummers were (and are) actors and other entertainers that were itinerant. In Europe these mummers would parade around streets, enter random houses and play dice in silence (because that's not creepy at all). When I’d heard the song, I’d liked it, but didn’t seek it out, or try to find who had recorded it. When The Kingsmen recorded the hit version, their lyrics were indecipherable. "Philadelphia is a very neighborhood-oriented city and the neighbors of certain areas would gather around their fire house and do a lot of the reveling before New Years.". Also, you'll note that many a Mummer is rocking golden shoes -- that's a nod to this song. I can diagnose by sight. This year, there are performances at 15th and Market street by all of the divisions. I probably did. (timeless echos of the music the people and the birds made together can still be heard long after the particular people and birds who made the music have died, have passed on). Mummer definition is - a performer in a pantomime; broadly : actor. But maybe not. A monthly update on our latest interviews, stories and added songs, Although this is an original song composed by Loreena McKennitt, it has its roots in a centuries old tradition. It refers particularly to a play in which a number of characters are called on stage, two of whom engage in a combat, the loser being revived by a doctor character. The word “mummer” is unfamiliar to most people, and I had to look it up. The song was a surprise hit in the United States[citation needed], reaching No. Mumming - a Yuletide Tradition The song refers to the seasonal Mummers Play performed by groups of actors, often as house-to-house visits. Also, considering Stevie Nicks. The word “mummer” is unfamiliar to most people, and I had to look it up. Dem Golden Slippers.". Absolutely a beautiful song. Apparently, it was a stirring and exciting spectacle, especially when the music was well done and the combatants kept good time. "Sail" by AWOLNATION had a remarkably slow climb up the Hot 100. The song was a surprise hit in the United States [ citation needed ] , reaching No. Mummers have had a bad history concerning blackface, which was officially banned in 1964 but has been spotted several times in the years since. Loreena McKennitt - The Mummers` Dance Lyrics. There's a wide variety of mummer plays, but they're characterized by big masks and pantomime traditions. Library: Books, Movies, Music It was also used as the theme song for an American TV series, the Western. Interesting combination of pagan and Christian then.. starting with 12 days of Christmas, but celebrating the seasons of life – this is a pagan activity which Christianity co-opted. This study of Irish Christmas Mumming is a beautifully written exploration of a vanishing holiday ritual that can be traced back to the dramas of the 16th century. Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission. Extraordinarily rich and perceptive. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. ), Who will go down to those shady groves That reveling, by the way, including lots of gun fire (why not?). bands with the word "black" in their names.. the seagull merlin: a wonderful new instrument. Jokes, Circle of Prayer May your barns be filled with wheat and corn Wench Brigades this year are Oregon, Jhj Saints, American, O'Malley, Cara Liom, Riverfront, Bryson, Pirates and Froggy Carr. I sometimes wish I had Celtic ancestry. And at your door we stand tying a ribbin is also a way to tie a prayer or a special request to the source of growth and life where it can be heard.

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