St. John Superstitions.
In Beira[28] a pine tree is pulled up, a procession going out to the woods with drums and pipes. Then the smaller branches are lopped off, and as a galheiro it is decked with ferns and rosemary and other scented shrubs and so burnt. When the fire has burnt down to a heap of glowing logs and faggots children and grown persons jump over it, chanting various rhymes to bring them health and good luck through the year till next fire-tide. It does not seem to be the custom to roll a stone on to the ashes, as in the South of France, where the beard of St. John is found next morning under the stones. But, although St. John’s Eve is in Portugal recognised as essentially the night of song and love—
Cantão moças, cantão velhas
Na noite de São João.
(Young maidens and old women sing
Alike on St. John’s Eve).
Esta noite é de segredos
Noite de amores e ciumes:
Quantos nacem, quantos morrem
Hoje a volta destes lumes!