In Ireland, especially during the periods of mass emigration, it was also customary to 'wake' a person or family who would be leaving for Canada; or another foreign shore; accepting that the odds were pretty good that you would never see them again. The party would be bitter sweet, and usually began the evening before the departure, and ran until the traveller or travellers, kissed the gateposts and headed for their life.
Wakes for the actual deceased began as more somber affairs, and the tone would be set by the gravity of the situation. The death of a child was considered more tragic than that of an elderly person, and if it came about as the result of an accident; or if more than one family member died along with them; the event would be spectacular in it's demonstrations. The traditional wake lasted from the time of death until the family left with the body for the funeral service or burial.
Though funeral homes were available to take care of the arrangements; until late in the period, the women of the household, or from the community; prepared the body to be "laid out". The corpse was cleanly shaved, bathed, dressed in a white garment and then laid on a bed or table, though more often than not, they simply put boards across four chairs to act as a makeshift table and then covered the corpse with a clean white sheet, leaving only the face, hands and feet exposed. The two big toes were then tied together to keep them from returning as a ghost. From that time on the deceased was never left alone until the funeral.
The 'viewing room', would be the parlour, if you had one; or even the kitchen; so long as it was 'the best room in the house'. Candles were placed above the head and a new pair of boots at the feet to help their walk through purgatory. The eyes were closed, a crucifix placed on the chest, and a pair of rosary beads folded in the hands; so that as each guest paid their respects, they could kneel down and join them in a prayer. Clay pipes with snuff would be passed around and smoked to hasten the deceased's journey and resurrection. With each puff, a bit of wisdom was offered: "May he be dead for a year before the devil hears of it" or "Death does not come without a cause".
And of course, no respectable Irish wake would be complete without the 'Keen", which was a sort of women's lamentation or wailing, that began almost as soon as the body was prepared. This was important, since if the keening started too early it would summon evil spirits.
Originally this keening' was done by the women of the family, but gradually they were replaced by professional mourners. The bereaved family would send miles for an old woman recognized as an authority on "raising the keen". The women would sit by the coffin with their kerchief or apron around their heads, rocking to and fro, and wailing with a primitive howl. Later there would be howling of a different kind, as the somber event was turned into a party.
The Irish have always loved a good party and the wake, like any other gathering in an Irish-Canadian community, became an occasion to share food and drink, play music, dance and even enjoy physical games. These games might include a water fight or even a potato throwing battle, but one of the most common was the 'broomstick leap', where a man would hold a broomstick in two hands across the front of him, and then leap back and forth through it until he fell over and was removed from the game.
At various times there were efforts by Church officials to discourage the raucous events, but they were usually unsuccessful and the custom remained for many years.
The food served was mutton or stew; fadge (potato bread), and cheese. The latter was usually avoided at other times, to pay respect for those who had died during the famine, but at a wake; cheese would be served liberally. Liqour would be regular whiskey or poteen, a home-made clear 'mountain dew'.
When it was time for the funeral, it was customary to kick over the chairs holding the boards, where the corpse was laid. Then it was placed carefully into the coffin, which was then closed shut, and carried out of the home by the pallbearers; always feet first.
Immediately behind the coffin would be the father or eldest son, who would place his hands on the casket. Children and other close family members would walk along beside, followed by the men with spades and shovels who would be digging the grave. Behind them were the remaining members of the community, and the whole funeral procession would be led by the priest who would be chanting and sprinkling holy water. (This was different for protestant services)
If the community had a church, then mass would be heard, otherwise the service took place at the grave. Everyone attended, except pregnant women, since it was believed that their child would be stillborn, if they attended a funeral.
A gentleman, Irish, mighty odd;
He had a brogue both rich and sweet
And to rise in the world he carried a hod.
Now Tim had a sort of the tipplin' way
With a love of the whiskey he was born
And to help him on with his work each day
He'd a "drop of the cray-thur" every morn.
Chorus:
Whack fol the darn O, dance to your partner
Whirl the floor, your trotters shake;
Wasn't it the truth I told you
Lots of fun at Finnegan's wake!
One mornin' Tim was feelin' full
His head was heavy which made him shake;
He fell from the ladder and broke his skull
And they carried him home his corpse to wake.
They rolled him up in a nice clean sheet
And laid him out upon the bed,
With a gallon of whiskey at his feet
And a barrel of porter at his head.
And Mrs. Finnegan called for lunch,
First they brought in tea and cake
Then pipes, tobacco and whiskey punch.
Biddy O'Brien began to bawl
"Such a nice clean corpse, did you ever see?
"Aye Tim, mavourneen, why did you die?"
"Arragh, hold your gob" said Paddy McGee!
Then Maggie O'Connor took up the job
"O Biddy," says she, "You're wrong, I'm sure"
Biddy she gave her a belt in the gob
And left her sprawlin' on the floor.
And then the war did soon engage
'Twas woman to woman and man to man,
Shillelagh law was all the rage
And a row and eruption soon began.
Then Mickey Maloney ducked his head
When a noggin of whiskey flew at him,
It missed, and fallin' on the bed
The liquor scattered over Tim!
The corpse revives! See how he raises!
Timothy rising from the bed,
Says,"Whirl your whiskey around like blazes
Thanum an Dhul! Did you think I'm dead?"
