A French tutor of Alliance Française in Bath explains an old French tradition

Here is a little poem for Candlemas, la Chandeleur. In the old days in France, women lit candles, des chandelles so the word Chandeleur , to protect the house from fire and lightning.
Do you know that in France we eat pancakes, des crêpes on that day? And you must toss them in the air!

Le Perce-Neige
Violette de la Chandeleur,
Perce, perce, perce-neige,
Annonces-tu la Chandeleur,
Le soleil et son cortège
De chansons, de fruits, de fleurs ?
Perce, perce, perce-neige
À la Chandeleur.

Robert Desnos

http://bath.afbristol.org.uk/courses/