THE BESOM-MAN Did you see Paidin, Paidin, the besom-man, Last night as you came by Over the mountain? A barth of new heather He bore on his shoulder, And a bundle of whitlow-grass Under his oxter. I spied him as he passed Beyond the carn head, But no eye saw him At the hill foot after. What has come over him? The women are saying. What can have crossed Paidin, the besom-man? The bogholes he knew As the curlews know them, And the rabbits' pads, And the derelict quarries. He was humming a tune -- The "Enchanted Valley" -- As he passed me westward Beyond the carn. I stood and I listened, For his singing was strange: It rang in my ears The long night after. What has come over Paidin, the besom-man? What can have crossed him? The women keep saying. They talk of the fairies -- And, God forgive me, Paidin knew them Like his prayers! Will you fetch word Up to the cross-roads If you see track of him, Living or dead? The boys are loafing With game or caper; And the dark piper Is gone home with the birds. -- Joseph Campbell (1879-1944) besom=broom oxter=arm

SNIPPET: A besom was a roughly fashioned, short-handled sweeping brush which was reserved for use in the hearth area of the kitchen. It was most effective on uneven flag floors, and in more recent times found its way into the garden where it proved a useful for effectively lifting leaves off the lawn. The head of the besom was generally fashioned from a handful of birch cuttings, which was then attached to a handle. It was a skilled operation necessitating a lot of careful practice. The craftsman, known as the besom-maker or broom squire - always chose his own materials, ear-marking a birch plantation was a least seven years established. He organised cropping (cutting) and bundling, and had the bundles stacked for seasoning behind his workshop. The stack was then given a roof of hay to carry away the rain and snow, both of which could be detrimental to the birch cuttings. This was an autumn job and the period of seasoning lasted until the following March. The birch cuttings were then removed as required and the essential job of stripping them down commenced, when unwanted material was removed from each bundle and sold off a 'bavins' or faggots for firewood. Handles of ash were then prepared, though hazel and lime was preferred in some instances. The craftsman shaved each one until it was even and smooth 'to the eye.' One end of each handle was given a blunt point, the other a gradual taper. The head was assembled on a 'besom-horse" - a foot-operated device. Willow binding was then fastened around the 'handful' of cuttings until it was drawn as tight as it could be. A few besom-makers were happy with strong but supple briar binding. A knot similar to that used by farmers when binding corn sheaves was used to secure the head, which was then fixed to the handle. The head was prevented from parting company with the handle during use with the help of a small peg pushed into a hole drilled through the handle. In recent times besoms, which are still occasionally made for domestic use, are often fashioned with factory-made handles and wire bindings, which do not have the same texture as the traditional ones. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jean R." <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, January 12, 2006 3:10 AM Subject: [IGW] "The Besom-Man" -- Joseph CAMPBELLl (1879-1944) > THE BESOM-MAN > > Did you see Paidin, > Paidin, the besom-man, > Last night as you came by > Over the mountain? > > A barth of new heather > He bore on his shoulder, > And a bundle of whitlow-grass > Under his oxter. > > I spied him as he passed > Beyond the carn head, > But no eye saw him > At the hill foot after. > > What has come over him? > The women are saying. > What can have crossed > Paidin, the besom-man? > > The bogholes he knew > As the curlews know them, > And the rabbits' pads, > And the derelict quarries. > > He was humming a tune -- > The "Enchanted Valley" -- > As he passed me westward > Beyond the carn. > > I stood and I listened, > For his singing was strange: > It rang in my ears > The long night after. > > What has come over > Paidin, the besom-man? > What can have crossed him? > The women keep saying. > > They talk of the fairies -- > And, God forgive me, > Paidin knew them > Like his prayers! > > Will you fetch word > Up to the cross-roads > If you see track of him, > Living or dead? > > The boys are loafing > With game or caper; > And the dark piper > Is gone home with the birds. > > -- Joseph Campbell (1879-1944) > besom=broom > oxter=arm