Play recording: Legend of the Dogwood, The
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- Teideal (Title): Legend of the Dogwood, The.
- Uimhir Chatalóige Ollscoil Washington (University of Washington Catalogue Number): 840115.
- Uimhir Chnuasach Bhéaloideas Éireann (National Folklore of Ireland Number): none.
- Uimhir Roud (Roud Number): none.
- Uimhir Laws (Laws Number): none.
- Uimhir Child (Child Number): none.
- Cnuasach (Collection): Joe Heaney Collection, University of Washington, Seattle.
- Teanga na Croímhíre (Core-Item Language): English.
- Catagóir (Category): story.
- Ainm an té a thug (Name of Informant): Joe Heaney.
- Ainm an té a thóg (Name of Collector): unavailable.
- Dáta an taifeadta (Recording Date): 29/11/1983.
- Suíomh an taifeadta (Recording Location): University of Washington, United States of America.
- Ocáid an taifeadta (Recording Occasion): evening class.
- Daoine eile a bhí i láthair (Others present): unavailable.
- Stádas chóipcheart an taifeadta (Recording copyright status): unavailable.
You know the dogwood, the way it grows now? That wasn’t the way it grew long ago. It grew as tall as the oak tree, or any tree.
At the time of the Crucifixion, the dogwood was about the size of the oak and other forest trees. So firm and strong was the tree, it was chosen as the timber for the cross. To be used thus, for such a cruel purpose, greatly distressed the tree; and Jesus, nailed upon it, sensed this. And in his gentle pity for all sorrow and suffering he said to the dogwood, ‘Because of your regret and pity for my suffering, never again shall the dogwood tree grow large enough to be used as a cross.
Henceforth it shall be slender and bent and twisted, and its blossoms shall be in the form of a cross, two long and two short petals. In the center of the outer edge of each petal there will be nail-prints, brown with rust and stained with red. And in the center of the flower will be a crown of thorns. And all who see it will remember.’