A SOUL CAKE, A SOUL CAKE

[Soul Cakes were baked and given in exchange for
prayers for the Faithful Departed: the custom, begun
in Celtic times, continued into late Victorian England]

A Soul Cake, A Soul Cake, please, Mistress, a Soul Cake -
An apple, a plum, a peach or a cherry,

Any good thing to make us all merry …
Our Celtic forefathers first went a-Soul Caking,
Rejoicing in stirring and kneading and baking.
While the logs burned up hot and the oven was heating,
And the poor - not the rich - looked with glee to the eating.
There was allspice and eggs, there was sugar and flour,
All mixed to a dough, a delight to devour!
The children came singing, their young voices ringing,
Their prayers for the dead of the wealthy ones bringing.
And for each Soul Cake eaten, a soul flew to Heaven,
Wafted by prayers of this innocent leaven.
As the centuries passed, so the customs were changed,
And the making of Soul Cakes became re-arranged.
When all of the Saints had feasted - and slept,
The next day the Feast of All Souls should be kept.
“All Souls’ Day” was named for the second November,
When Christians the Dead of all time would remember.
Soul Cakes were still baked by cooks, faithful hearted,
As they prayed for the weal of the Faithful Departed.
The custom has faded, but not the intention.
At All Souls our dear dead still have our dear mention.
Do Soul Cakes still help yearning souls get to Heaven
In this Year of Our Lord Two Thousand and Seven?
[If the full ancient recipe you would get,
Just search for "Soul Cakes" on the Internet!]

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