Monday, January 09, 2006

Plough Monday

The Monday following the Feast of the Epiphany was traditionally when the work in the fields would continue.

Well, sort of, according to The Olde Farmer's Almanac: "Dressed in clean white smocks decorated with ribbons, the men dragged a plow (plough) through the village and collected money for the 'plow light' that was kept burning in the church all year... They sang and danced their way from village to village to the accompaniment of music."

You certainly can't complain about guys who enjoy their work.

2 comments:

M. Alexander said...

I love this! It's too beautiful. I was just reading your bio from "Who is man with black hat" and am intrigued by your interest in folk dancing. Can you recommend any books or videos. This is just the type of thing I try to expose my children too.

I succumbed to blog envy and have started my own. What a head rush! It's fun and I've always enjoyed writing.
Thanks,
Mary
P.S. Too weird that we have the same last name!

David L Alexander said...

Depending on where in Massachusetts you are, you may be in luck. New England is native to a form of English country dance known as "contra dancing," with dance sets of two opposing lines, usually men against women, or interspersed. Some of us can remember doing "Haste to the Wedding" (or "The Virginia Reel," as it was known in Ohio), or a similar form for Irish ceili dancing. And speaking of Irish dancing, there are schools in many cities in the Northeast.

Does that help?