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accompanied by the harp： at the conclusion； the foot semichorus began the
lamentation； or Ullaloo； from the final note of the preceding stanza； in
which they were answered by the head semichorus； then both united in
one general chorus。 The chorus of the first stanza being ended； the chief
bard of the foot semichorus began the second Gol or lamentation； in which
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he was answered by that of the head； and then； as before； both united in
the general full chorus。 Thus alternately were the song and choruses
performed during the night。 The genealogy； rank； possessions； the
virtues and vices of the dead were rehearsed； and a number of
interrogations were addressed to the deceased； as； Why did he die？ If
married； whether his wife was faithful to him； his sons dutiful； or good
hunters or warriors？ If a woman； whether her daughters were fair or chaste？
If a young man； whether he had been crossed in love； or if the blue… eyed
maids of Erin treated him with scorn？'
We are told； that formerly the feet （the metrical feet） of the Caoinan
were much attended to； but on the decline of the Irish bards these feet
were gradually neglected； and the Caoinan fell into a sort of slipshod
metre amongst women。 Each province had different Caoinans； or at least
different imitations of the original。 There was the Munster cry； the Ulster
cry； etc。 It became an extempore performance； and every set of keepers
varied the melody according to their own fancy。
It is curious to observe how customs and ceremonies degenerate。 The
present Irish cry； or howl； cannot boast of such melody； nor is the funeral
procession conducted with much dignity。 The crowd of people who
assemble at these funerals sometimes amounts to a thousand； often to four
or five hundred。 They gather as the bearers of the hearse proceed on their
way； and when they pass through any village； or when they come near any
houses； they begin to cryOh！ Oh！ Oh！ Oh！ Oh！ Agh！ Agh！ raising their
notes from the first OH！ to the last AGH！ in a kind of mournful howl。 This
gives notice to the inhabitants of the village that a FUNERAL IS
PASSING and immediately they flock out to follow it。 In the province of
Munster it is a common thing for the women to follow a funeral； to join in
the universal cry with all their might and main for some time； and then to
turn and ask'Arrah！ who is it that's dead？who is it we're crying for？'
Even the poorest people have their own burying…placesthat is； spots of
ground in the churchyards where they say that their ancestors have been
buried ever since the wars of Ireland； and if these burial…places are ten
miles from the place where a man dies； his friends and neighbours take
care to carry his corpse thither。 Always one priest； often five or six priests；
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attend these funerals； each priest repeats a mass； for which he is paid；
sometimes a shilling； sometimes half a crown； sometimes half a guinea； or
a guinea； according to their circumstances； or； as they say； according to the
ability of the deceased。 After the burial of any very poor man； who has
left a widow or children； the priest makes what is called a COLLECTION
for the widow； he goes round to every person present； and each
contributes sixpence or a shilling； or what they please。 The reader will
find in the note upon the word WAKE； more particulars respecting the
conclusion of the Irish funerals。
Certain old women； who cry particularly loud and well are in great
request； and； as a man said to the Editor； 'Every one would wish and be
proud to have such at his funeral； or at that of his friends。' The lower
Irish are wonderfully eager to attend the funerals of their friends and
relations； and they make their relationships branch out to a great extent。
The proof that a poor man has been well beloved during his life is his
having a crowded funeral。 To attend a neighbour's funeral is a cheap proof
of humanity； but it does not； as some imagine； cost nothing。 The time spent
in attending funerals may be safely valued at half a million to the Irish
nation； the Editor thinks that double that sum would not be too high an
estimate。 The habits of profligacy and drunkenness which are acquired at
WAKES are here put out of the question。 When a labourer； a carpenter；
or a smith； is not at his work； which frequently happens； ask where he is
gone； and ten to one the answer is'Oh； faith； please your honour； he
couldn't do a stroke to…day； for he's gone to THE funeral。'
Even beggars； when they grow old； go about begging FOR THEIR
OWN FUNERALS that is； begging for money to buy a coffin； candles；
pipes； and tobacco。 For the use of the candles； pipes； and tobacco； see
WAKE。
Those who value customs in proportion to their antiquity； and nations
in proportion to their adherence to ancient customs； will doubtless admire
the Irish ULLALOO； and the Irish nation； for persevering in this usage
from time immemorial。 The Editor； however； has observed some alarming
symptoms； which seem to prognosticate the declining taste for the Ullaloo
in Ireland。 In a comic theatrical entertainment； represented not long
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since on the Dublin stage； a chorus of old women was introduced； who set
up the Irish howl round the relics of a physician； who is supposed to have
fallen under the wooden sword of Harlequin。 After the old women have
continued their Ullaloo for a decent time； with all the necessary
accompaniments of wringing their hands； wiping or rubbing their eyes
with the corners of their gowns or aprons； etc。； one of the mourners
suddenly suspends her lamentable cries； and； turning to her neighbour；
asks； 'Arrah now