Please allow me to introduce myself to you. My name is Geraldine Glover and I wanted to send you this to see if you could publish it in your December Downhome book. I want to try and keep a tradition from dying.

I’ve been writing poems since I was 16 years old. Ironic, because when I was in school, English was my worst subject. I don’t know how I became interested in writing poetry; I just know that I enjoy it very much, just like I enjoy mummering.

Mummering was introduced to me when I was maybe 10 or 11 years old. We would wait for the knock to come on the door Christmas time. I would hear my mom say to my dad, "I better get cleared away because the mummers will soon be coming around now."

When I got older, maybe around 18 or so I myself started mummering. I enjoyed it so much, every year since, I always set aside one or two nights at Christmas time to go mummering.

Over the last few years all I’ve been hearing is you can’t go mummering now because it’s against the law. Hey, you know what? I don’t believe in breaking the law; however I don’t believe in letting traditions die, either. Too many things have changed already, why let everything change.

I’m 51 years old now and I’ve seen a lot of traditions fade away over the years, but mummering is one tradition I refuse to let go.

I continue mummering every year since that first night. My friends and I will continue mummering as long as it’s possible for me to do so, health wise that is. I won’t stop because of the law I’ll just have to wear a better disguise and not get caught, that’s all. Sorry guys, but this is one law I don’t have any trouble breaking.

I wrote this poem the other day, so I thought that I would submit it to the Downhome, since it’s such a popular book. I love reading the stories myself and congratulate you all for doing such a terrific job. I hope to see this poem in your Dec. edition just to let folks know that some traditions are worth keeping.

Thank you; if it’s not possible to print this in your book then I’ll understand.

Keeping a Tradition Alive

The phone rings, "it’s 8 o’clock," I say
"That’s the girls calling, they’re on their way"
Sure enough they file in one by one
"Now come on let’s get dressed and go have some fun."

In we go to my old-fashioned trunk
Someone says, "not too much clothes in case we get drunk"
"That’s alright," someone else will recall
"It’ll cushion the smack if we fall"

So it’s with mitts on our feet
And a pillow stuffed inside for a seat
A piece over our face, with holes cut out for our eyes
Now for something else old-fashioned to finish our disguise

"Ok we’re ready!" someone will shout,
"It’s about time for us to get out and about
Let’s go mummering and knock on some doors
For a little dancing and a shot or more"

After a few houses you begin to sweat
So a layer of clothing comes off bit by bit
Work our way back home now and call it a night
Before we're too drunk and losing our sight

We’ve had a laugh it was lots of fun
To some houses we’d walk or sometimes run
No matter if we had someone to drive
Each year, we try to keep a tradition alive

Mummering has been a part of my life for so long
To let a tradition die would be so totally wrong
So yes I’ll keep it up if I’m the only one
Without mummers at Christmas, there’d be no fun

So come on people gather around in one or twos
Knock on some doors, whosever you choose
Around here everyone will let you in
'Cause like me they’ve enjoyed mummering ever since it began.
  Submitted By: NULL