FOLK LORE.
Music at Funerals.
—Pennant, in his MS. relating to North Wales, says, "there is a custom of singing psalms on the way as the corpse is carried to church" (Brand's Pop. Ant., ed. Ellis, vol. ii. p. 268.). In North Devon the custom of singing is similar; but it is not a psalm it is a dirge. I send you a copy of one in use at Lynton, sent to me by my sister.
Farewell all, my parents[1] dear,
And all my friends, farewell!
I hope I'm going to that place
Where Christ and saints do dwell.
Oppress'd with grief long time I've been,
My bones cleave to my skin,
My flesh is wasted quite away