FOLKLORE OF YULE. 145 



On New'r'day work of every kind was begun. 

 Men went to the fishing, if only for an hour; girls 

 began sewing and knitting, if only for a few stitches ; 

 a bit of simmond was woven ; a turf was turned ; a 

 stone set up ; a shilling laid by ; a torn garment was 

 mended ; a new one shaped ; the byre was cleaned out ; 

 the fishing gear was repaired ; " everything pertaining 

 to thrift was got under weigh to begin the year weel." 



From that day until " Twenty-fourth night " work 

 and play went hand in hand, and the merry season — 

 given of old to the worship of the day god, given now 

 to the memory of our Sun of Eighteousness — sped to 

 its end amid much enjoyment. On Twenty-fourth 

 night the small family parties became enlarged, and 

 lost much of their domestic as well as superstitious 

 element. The young people of many hamlets clubbed 

 together and spent the evening in the house of some 

 one who owned a large barn, where dancing was 

 vigorously carried on. An old rhyme warned the 

 young men to 



" Mak' the niaist o' ony chance, 

 Yule is time to drink and dance. 

 NewVsmas lucky lines sood bring. 

 Twenty-fourth night, get the ring. 

 Gie the lass a kiss, and mind 

 Time and tide are easy tined." 



[Make the most of any chance, 

 Yule is time to drink and dance. 

 New Year's Day luck should bring. 

 Twenty-fourth night get the (wedding) ring. 

 Give the girl a kiss, and remember 

 Time and tide are easily lost.] 



K 



