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An Irish Wedding
Have you ever been to an Irish wedding? I have just returned from one. It
is a quarter to five inthe morning; the sun has already climbed above the
horizon;the birds are busy celebrating thenew day and have eagerly been in
search of food.
But some of the guests have not yet left. They are still prolonging the
night: dancing, singing, gossiping, and postponing the unfortunate necessity of
undertaking a day’s work in the fieldsafter a sleepless night.
The evening party was to start at ten o’clock, but many of the guests
arrived earlier. A few ofthe nearer male relatives were looking rather awkward
in evening suits with smart bow ties, and the pleasant, unsophisticated
countrywomen
appeared a little self-conscious in their Sunday best. Two men squeezing
accordions providedthe music: the old Irish tunes that have been played at
weddings for many years.
Half the people in the room were dancing the square dances which have been
enjoyed evenlonger. A score of men stood in the narrow dark hall leaning against
the wall, drinking beerfrom bottles and speculating about crops, cattle and the
current political situation. Andwhenever the dancing stopped, somebody would
start singing one of the sentimental, treasured Irish songs: the exile longing
for his home, the grief-stricken lover mourning hisfate. Sometimes we all joined
in the chorus, sadly and solemnly, before getting up to danceagain.
Irish weddings are almost certain to have been celebrated in this way for
generations. I havebeen to wedding receptions
where champagne has been served to the accompaniment of soft unnoticed
orchestral music; I have listened to carefully prepared speeches and eyed a
little enviously the model gowns ofwomen far more elegant than I could ever hope
to be.
I have been impressed, and a little bored. I have just been sitting up all
night in a small, uncomfortable Irish cottage and I have been enjoying every
moment of it. |
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发表于 2018-4-28 14:44:08