Staffan Stalledräng

Today was the second day of Christmas or Staffan's day. Mum says it's really Saint Stefanus who was the first Christian martyr, but in Swedish folklore, he is Staffan and everything about him is about horses. Which is why you'll get me singing (you'll have to imagine the tune) one of many Staffan songs.

Staffan was a stable hand (stable hand, stable hand)
He watered (?? Why I wonder) his horses five (horses five, horses five)
The stars are gleaming ever so brightly
Lads, let us all be merry
Only once a year we get
A joyful Christmas time

Then there are like ten more verses. Apparently, he had five horses - two red, two white and one apple tree grey, which was the one he liked to ride. And it goes on and on...

Had I been a boy poodle, mum would have dressed me up as Staffan for Lucia. With a pointed paper cone hat with stars. A narrow escape...