Happy May Day!

Ch. All hail, hail, the first of May-o
For it is, the first summer's day-o
Cast your cares and fears away
Drink to the old horse on the first of May.


Now Wintertime is gone and past-o
Summertime has come at last-o
We will dance and sing the day
And drink to the 'obby 'orse to bring the May.


Now bluebells they have started to ring-o
And true love, it is the thing-o
Love on any other day
Is never the same as on the first of May.


Now never let it come to pass-o
We should fail to raise a glass-o
Unto those now gone away
And left us the 'obby 'orse to bring the May.


Now Wintertime is gone and past-o
Summertime has come at last-o
We will dance and sing the day
And drink to the 'obby 'orse to bring the May.


Magpie Lane perform traditional English music and song. They combine powerful vocals
with vigorous dance tunes - inventive arrangements on acoustic instruments.

Magpie Lane appear regularly at top national Festivals - including Sidmouth, Towersey,
Fylde and Chippenham - and have recorded six CDs on the Beautiful Jo label.

The Watersons Singing in the May

The Watersons "Hal-An-Tow"

Take no scorn to wear the horn
It was the crest when you was born
Your father's father wore it
And your father wore it too
Chorus (after each verse):
Hal-an-tow, jolly rumbalow
We were up long before the day-O
To welcome in the summer,
To welcome in the May-O
The summer is a-coming in
And winter's gone away-O

What happened to the Spaniards
That made so great a boast-O?
Why they shall eat the feathered goose
And we shall eat the roast-O

Robin Hood and Little John
Have both gone to the fair-O
And we will to the merry green wood
To hunt the buck and hare-O

God bless Aunt Mary Moyses
And all her power and might-O
And send us peace to England
Send peace by day and night-O

Morris Dancing on May Day!

The Long Man Morrismen perform "Young Colin" at the foot of The Long Man of Wilmington at Sunrise on 1st May 2007 with barking dog in the background!!