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Wexford Carols. A collection of twenty two Christmas Carols , the lyrics of which were
mostly written by two Catholic priests in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Some of these carols are still sung to traditional
melodies in the parish of Kilmore Co. Wexford every Christmas and are thus referred to as 'Kilmore Carols'. The lyrics of
1, Song Of Jerusalem was written by an English Catholis priest and first published in 1601. 11 of the song lyrics were written
by Luke Waddinge and were first published in Ghent in 1684. Waddinge was a Catholic Bishop of Ferns Co. Wexford, and his 1684
book, A Garland Of Pious And Godly Songs also contained some religious posies and poems written for the disinherited
gentry of Wexford. The Waddinges were one of the main Anglo Norman families of Wexford and had lost all their land to the
Williamite confiscation. Luke was banished twice from Ireland and suffered under the penal laws against the Catholic religion.
His Carols reflect the influence of the metaphysical poets and in some cases the religious persecution of the times.
The remaining 10 carols are believed to be written by William Devereaux, Parish Priest of Drinagh C. Wexford. In 1728
he collected a number of carols into a manuscript entitled A New Garland Containing Songs For Christmas which included
the ' Song For Jerusalem' and the 10 other carols of the Wexford collection. Although it is not certain that Devereaux wrote
the lyrics for these ten carols, musical experts as well as the people of Kilmore believe this to be the case. Some
of the carols are still sung every Christmas in Kilmore by the choir of six men who divide into two groups to sing alternate
verses. Only six of the traditional airs that were used survive, although some airs are used with the lyrics of more than
one of the carols. Some of these songs have been recorded by Dordan, Noirin Ni Riain and The Voice Squad. They are published
as The Wexford Carols. Source The Waltons Guide To Irish Music
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