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Show Irish Wake A wake is a vigil with a corpse. TVe word Is derived from "waecan," Anglo-Saxon for a watching. It Is still customary In many countries for friends and neighbors of the deceased to sit up nights with the corpse until It Is burled. The custom probably originated In the ancient superstition that unless earnfully guarded a corpse was In danger of being carried car-ried away by spirits from Hades. The Irish wake Is especially notorious. In some parts of Ireland those remaining remain-ing up nights with a corpse spend the time in drinking; dancing and te'Ilng Jokes and stories. It Is a highly festive fes-tive occasion. Grace Greenwood In her "Stories of Travel" has this to say about the Irish wake: "A wake, sure It's an entertainment a man give after he Is dead, when his disconsolate disconso-late friends all assemb at his house, to discuss his virtues and drinJc klj poteen." Pathfinder Magazina |