Written for The Sunday Muse
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It was late October in the year of our Lord 1889. In the waning hours of Hallowmass Eve, urchins in rags, and sufferers from calamity marched through the cobbled streets of Bartonwick.
Smoke curled into the sky from the crooked chimneys of the thatched stone cottages. Banging on doors, the soulers begged for food and money, offering songs and prayers in payment.
A soul cake, a soul cake,
Please, good missus, a soul cake.
An apple, a pear, a plum or a cherry,
Any good thing to make us all merry.
One for Peter, two for Paul,
And three for The One that made us all.
Old Harriet Wicklesmith opened her creaking oak door, and a smile spread across her wrinkled face. All day she had mixed, stirred and baked her Soul Cakes. She proffered a glass jar, filled with steaming cross-topped sweetmeats. One by one, the soulers helped themselves.
May your souls be freed from Purgatory when these cakes are eaten, she muttered.
We shall eat the fruit of your labour. Blessings and prosperity will be yours, they replied.
She returned to the calmness of her room and settled before the crackling log fire, content in the knowledge that her good deed was done and her soul comforted for another year.
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I can’t take credit for the poem, it’s the first verse of Soul Cake Song which dates back to the early 19th century. If you want to hear it sung (not by me!) here it is!
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Thanks to Carrie for hosting.
how are you feeling, Keith?
<3
David
Fully recovered David, thank you!
Always wonderful to hear you read your amazing poetry Keith! I am glad you are writing and feeling better. Thank you as always, for participating at the Muse my friend!
That’s very kind of you Carrie, thanks so much.
I was dreading something bad happening to them. Good ending
Thanks, Sadje. Back then, only good happened that night.
That’s cool. You’re welcome
Like your decorations!!
https://ladysighs.files.wordpress.com/2022/10/ag00408_.gif
I like that too!
An old tradition, isn’t it. It’s no longer quite so elaborate, and you can’t offer home baked treats any longer.
It’s certainly changed since back then.
Wonderful story and song! I do so enjoy your narrations. Glad to hear you’re feeling better; here’s to the comfort of your body and soul!
I’m so pleased, thank you for your kind words.
Keith this is such a charming poem and a wonderful post of poem voice and song.
Stay safe and healthy
Much❤love
Thank you so much Gillena, that makes it all worthwhile.
This brought a smile to my face. We’d recently come across a video explaining this tradition & giving a recipe and were considering making soul cakes this year. This is further encouragement. 🙂
I really hope you do. Today’s Halloween is so different from back then.
You brought these characters to life, in living technicolor, Dolby surround sound ….. delightful.
Wow, that really is so kind of you, Helen!
Glad to hear your voice again, Keith, and the cadences of this lovely tale surely warms my heart. Just wonderful.
I’m delighted it had the desired effect, Dora, thanks so much for your generous words
Love that auld song!
Me too!
Thank you for sharing, I have never heard of this before today.
I’m delighted to have introduced you to it!
Your writing brings so much to life – glad you are feeling better too <3
I’m really pleased, thank you so much