Mummers and Humstrums

 

But I have often heard of two features which are no longer included in our programmes of Christmas amusements – The Mummers and the Humstrummers.  From descriptions given by some who remembered performances by Old Dorset Mummers it appears that the actors were a party of local lads and men, fantastically garbed to represent various characters, historical and mythical.  The chief character was St George who made great play with a long wooden sword.  After some preliminary dancing and speechmaking various obnoxious potentates (including Pauonfarte) and other men of evil repute, engaged the ‘Saint in single combat, preceded by a dialogue.  In every combat the latter was victorious, every opponent being laid low.  From a radio broadcast, a year or two ago, I learned that a version of the old play is till extant in another part of the country.

The humstrum was a rudely constructed, home-made fiddle with a body of tin instead of wood.  It was played with a bow on strings of either catgut or wire or some of each kind.  I never heard that any definite tone was produced or even expected from this instrument, but it  made a merry noise if discordant, and was sounded to stimulate ‘that Christmas feeling’.

Our Dorset poet has left us a vivid description of the delight of the youngsters of our town as the first strains of the season greeted their ears:-

‘The children all did run…and shout

Why, here! The Humstrums be about.’

And a note of regret at the passing of an ancient diversion:-

‘But now a bow do never scrape

A humstrum anywhere all round;

And some can’t tell a Humstrum’s shape

And never heard his jingles sound’

 I have imagined that, as Bairnes spent his early days near Sturminster the humstrums he saw and heard were the identical ones described to me by my elders.

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