"Resolved. That the depriving of their constitutional rights may be fitly compared to the dismembering of the Natural body." Petersham, MA town meeting. 12 January 1773.
Photo credit: Chad Becker
Rest in peace Mike
An often overlooked detail for those portraying militia or civilian peoples, neckwear can be one of those fine finishing touches to a wonderful impression. Men and women have many options to choose from the period as well and the great part is, incredibly affordable and easily tailored to the outfit being worn.
Ruth Hodges, Minute Man National Historical Park Living History Volunteer, and one of the leading authorities on civilian clothing worn in the period around April, 1775 in New England, was kind enough to share her research into neckwear in Anglo-America:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rWa3xxrits&t=9s
www.dropbox.com/.../HANDKERCHIEFS-OTHER-BITS...
The Minute Man Living History Authenticity Guidelines go on to explain:
“White, linen, cotton, or silk, hand-hemmed handkerchiefs (30-36" square), or a neck cloth (long narrow rectangle). Neck cloths sometimes had short fringe at the ends and often filled in the upper portion of a partially unbuttoned waistcoat; this is best worn by older men because it’s somewhat old-fashioned in 1775. Colored and patterned handkerchiefs (block-printed, yarn-dyed, resist-dyed) were worn for laboring or by lower sorts. Handkerchiefs and neck cloths were most commonly tied snugly over the collar which should be pulled straight up, with the collar completely hidden or collar points extending neatly over the top of the neckwear. For those portraying officers, a white linen or cotton stock.”
Women wore handkerchiefs to help protect skin from the elements. In colder months, they were often layered for extra warmth. However, a good handkerchief can add a jewelry like element to an ensemble. Women wore them tucked into a neckline or covering much of the front of a gown or jacket, held in place by the apron.
Some above text preprinted from 18th Century Menswear. Photos courtesy Tom George Davison Photography.
As this slide shows the term for the garment men & women wear is a handkerchief. Unfortunately, vendors, museums & books freely use the terms for neck garments interchangeably confusing these terms & the meanings behind each. This video carefully uses the terms correctly, consistent to how the terms were worn in the period.
The slide show is placed within a DropBox & isn’t opening correctly for me from the link above. You might try www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/q1albzds545qrlu0mzimp/HANDKERCHIEFS-OTHER-BITS...-Feb2017-v.2.pdf?rlkey=yo...
The Parting Glass is a Scottish traditional song of farewell, often sung at the end of a gathering of friends. It was purportedly the most popular parting song sung in Scotland before Robert Burns wrote "Auld Lang Syne".
The "parting glass", or "stirrup cup", or "le coup de l'étrier" was the final hospitality offered to a departing guest. Once they had mounted, they were presented one final drink to fortify them for their travels.
The earliest known printed version was as a broadside in the 1770s and it first appeared in book form in Scots Songs by Herd. An early version is sometimes attributed to Sir Alexander Boswell.
The text is doubtless older than its 1770 appearance in broadside, as it was recorded in the Skene Manuscript, a collection of Scottish airs written at various dates between 1615 and 1635. It was known at least as early as 1605, when a portion of the first stanza was written in a farewell letter, as a poem now known as "Armstrong's Goodnight", by one of the Border Reivers executed that year for the murder in 1600 of Sir John Carmichael, Warden of the Scottish West March.
The Parting Glass - Anonymous
Of all the money e'er I had,
I spent it in good company.
And all the harm e'er I've done,
Alas! it was to none but me.
And all I've done for want of wit
To mem'ry now I can't recall
So fill to me the parting glass
Good night and joy be with you all.
If I had money enough to spend,
And leisure time to sit awhile,
There is a fair maid in this town,
That sorely has my heart beguiled.
Her rosy cheeks and ruby lips,
I own she has my heart in thrall,
Then fill to me the parting glass,
Good night and joy be with you all.
Oh, all the comrades e'er I had,
They're sorry for my going away,
And all the sweethearts e'er I had,
They'd wish me one more day to stay,
But since it falls unto my lot,
That I should rise and you should not,
I gently rise and softly call,
Good night and joy be with you all.
The earliest known appearance of the tune today associated with this song is as a fiddle tune called "The Peacock", included in James Aird's A Selection of Scots, English, Irish and Foreign Airs, 1782.
Republished from Scottish Country Dancing Dictionary.
The NWTA uses the third verse of this song to remember those that have gone on before us. Listen here:
youtu.be/qMkQExuzL_0?si=XOCpEhGYWw-Szqoh
Irish, not Scottish
Irish
Also in Doric Scots a “dochin doris “ a last drink at the door for a departing guest to fortify them on their journey home. Also immortalised in song “ Just a wee dochin doris afore ye gang awa” the song goes on to refer to the travellers wee wifie (wife) waiting at home for them to return.
let's just settle on celtic eh 😉
Possibly Scottish. The oldest extant text I know of is the Skene Manuscript from the first half of the 1600s. That's definitely Scots. Problem is that those parts of Scotland and Ireland are so close and there's been so much traffic both ways, it's hard to be 100% certain. And remember the Scoti were Irish. (Not a great thing for an Irish lass living in Scotland to say, but there we are.)
Love this Song, I always thought it was Irish, so thank you for setting me straight. I am Australian with Irish and Scottish Heritage so again thank you for posting this gem. I have marked it down to be sung at my Funeral Service, which I hope is still many years away. Slainte
I thought it was an Irish song, sung at Wakes
deoch = drink - doras= door Gaelic deoach an doras = a drink at the door.
Popular in Ireland and generally assumed to be Irish but undoubtedly originated in Scotland.
Heard it sung by Tom Clancy one early morning in 1962 at the closing of the White Horse in the West Village.
The Corries sang the first couple verses at the end concerts
Its a Gaelic song...so Irish and Scottish💚💙
Liam Clancy sings it beautifully
I admit l never heard of this song, even though born and bred. Maybe if l hear the melody, l'll go "Oh that song.!" I'm more familiar with "Soraidh leibh is oidche mhath leibh, oidche mhath leibh beannachd leibh" 🙂 We used sing it at the end of ceilidhs and gatherings back when l was young in Scotland.
I last heard this song 2 days ago, it's sung at the end of Waking Ned, which is a film supposedly shot in Ireland but actually on the Isle of Man. Beautiful song
Are the muzzles in the dirt? Why would they do that?
Mourn arms??
The parting glass is Irish
Hozier sang this on the late late during covid times, best version I ever heard, hairs standing up on the back of my neck when I heard him, amazing
Robin Williamson has a great version of this on Songs of Love and Parting. One of my favourites! A few years back, my old school was closed for good, so I went to the open day, lots of mixed emotions. As I was about to leave, this song came to mind, so I sang it from my car door, over the valley of my youth. Now I find out that was truly the correct usage 😁
Always assumed it was of Irish origin
It’s Irish, not Scottish……
My dad, an Irish speaker, and fiddle player, played us to sleep with various jigs and reels. Imbeded in my music ear l assumed they were all of Irish origin. until later years I heard this music played in films from south of England through to Scotland and in many western cowboy films. Whiskey galore "1947" version makes good listening with the use of Gaelige and music. So where did the influence come from. Lots of "experts" on here who need to do a bit of research. Beatles, yeah yeah yeah, is an Irish song because George Harrison's uncle was from Dublin and George spent summers here, also 2 other fab 4 had Irish connections. See where I'm coming from.
The best version of this is a version sung Liam Clancy. There's a live version with Liam Clancy and Tommy Makes, both on YouTube.
It’s actually English. But nobody sings it like Liam Clancy. And that’s why bob Dylan describe him the best ever folksinger
Q: Can anyone reenact?
A: Yes! The only pre-requisite is a passion for history. That said, to take the field or camp with us, you need to either Be a Guest or Join the NWTA. We’d be happy to help you explore either option.
www.nwta.com/about/faq/
I was an extremely shy person until I became a reenactor and realized the advantage to pretending to be someone else. I collected bits and pieces of history and found that I could talk to strangers, if only for a few moments at a time. That was fifty years ago now.
May the warmth and light of this candle inspire hope and joy. May the coming new year bring prosperity and fulfillment to all who have shared in our encampments this year!
Merry Christmas to All!
Merry Christmas
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