Phynnodderee

In Manx folklore, a wild man of the woods, a useful little old gentleman with a hairy coat. He is a fallen fairy, condemned to wander alone till the end of time because of his amours with a mortal maiden, who lived in a bower beneath the blue tree of Glen Aldyn, and for having deserted the fairy court during the harvest moon (re-hollys vooar yn ouyr) to dance with her in Glen Rushen. He is regarded as a creature of great power, occasionally beneficent, but very spiteful if not allowed to do things in his own way.

In one tale, the owner of a field called Yn Cheange rhunt, or the Round Meadow, complained that the Phynnodderee did not cut the grass sufficiently close, whereupon he left the grumbler to cut it himself next year. The Phynnodderee also went after the farmer, stubbing up the roots so fast that with great difficulty the man saved his legs.

In another story, after having performed one of his prodigious feats, a gentleman wished to recompense him. He laid down a few articles of clothing for him in his usual haunts. On perceiving them, the Phynnodderee lifted them up one by one, saying:

"Bayrn da'n choine, dy doogh a da'n choine,

Cooat da'n dreeym, dy doogh da'n dreeym,

Breechyn da'n toyn, dy doogh da'n toyn,

Agh my she lhiat ooiley

Sho cha nee lhiat Glen reagh Rushen."

"Cap for the head, alas, poor head,

Coat for the back, alas, poor back,

Breeches for the breech, alas, poor breech,

If those be all thine, thine cannot be

The merry Glen of Rushen."

Having said so he departed and has never been heard of since.

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