"Aqua String Band - 2010 Performance" by Roniannacone -
If you are born in Philly
[Philadelphia Pennsylvania USA]
like I was,
Mummery is in your blood.
And
New Year's Day is
MUMMER's Day!
When European immigrants
from Scandinavia,
and other
parts of Europe began arriving
in Philadelphia in the
17th Century, they brought their
Mummer traditions with them.
On New Year’s Day,
families and friends
would “Mum”
through their neighborhood,
making fun of the 'upper'
classes, and asking for
food or drink.
“Here we stand before your door,
As we stood the year before;
Give us whisky, give us gin,
Open the door and let us in.”
History types trace the word
Mummer
to Greek mythology.
King Momus was
the personification of
satire, mockery and
censure. Mummers
can also be
connected to the late
Middle English word mommer
and the Old French word momeur
which relate to miming,
masking and
very ancient
folk traditions.
While living in Philadelphia,
first US President George Washington
continued the local
tradition of greeting friends
at New Year’s time.
Because the Mummer tradition is
of the common folk,
associated with drinking
and making fun
of their 'betters'
Mummery has not always been
smiled upon by
official Philadelphia.
In the 1800’s, the parade,
and masquerading itself
were even banned
for decades.
But, Mummery continued
Working class Philadelphia
never stopped.
Steam fitters in sequins.
Working guys from the
neighborhood, from the
factory, practicing all year
to march on Broad Street.
[Women march
in the parade now -
though it remains possibly
the world's best example
of straight men
in silly drag]
Mumming goes through the
generations.
The people mumming today
shook hands,
with the people
who shook hands
with the people
who were Mummers
back in the beginning.
Or so it is said.
This year, I was able
to watch the parade
streaming live from Philly.
The music, the accents,
the city. . .
It's all in my blood.
Mumming in Philadelphia
will live long after me.
But I like to think
that part of my soul
will go on doing the
"Mummers Strut"
on New Year's Day.
I've been practicing
All Day!
Happy New Year!
From Around the Way
cloudia
“Oh, Dem Golden Slippers,” written in 1879
by James Bland, an African American songwriter-
Oh, dem golden slippers
Golden slippers I’se goin’ to wear
Because they look so neat
Oh, dem golden slippers
Oh, dem golden slippers
Golden slippers I’se goin’ to wear
To walk the golden street”
Historical Link
See Average people
doing the Mummers Strut-
under 1 minute:
