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| - Usually celebrated on the last evening of April, the festival of Walpurgisnacht commemorates the martyrdom of Saint Walpurga in 779 AD. The holiday is observed in Finland, Sweden, Germany, Anomie, Belgium, Nova Zemlya, Ashtrakhan, Bean City, and Tahiti. Celebrations usually open with the singing of the Walpurgenhymn. The song is performed in a bastardized but now-traditional dialect of Middle English. The singers are accompanied by accordionists and pennywhistle players.
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abstract
| - Usually celebrated on the last evening of April, the festival of Walpurgisnacht commemorates the martyrdom of Saint Walpurga in 779 AD. The holiday is observed in Finland, Sweden, Germany, Anomie, Belgium, Nova Zemlya, Ashtrakhan, Bean City, and Tahiti. Celebrations usually open with the singing of the Walpurgenhymn. The song is performed in a bastardized but now-traditional dialect of Middle English. In Godes holy breeth slepen For which bee wymmen sorely wepen Swete martir twat yclept Walpurga. Singe wally, wally, Walpurga! Mickle ladye, mickle knickers. All Godes merrie toadie pickers Singe, wally! Wally! Oi, Walpurga! The singers are accompanied by accordionists and pennywhistle players. After singing the Walpurgenhymn five times the celebrants build a bonfire, eat special pies called purgispyen, and exchange gaily wrapped laxatives. The party ends in the wee hours with the ritual Tickling of the Toads.
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