The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #16837   Message #160687
Posted By: Abby Sale
10-Jan-00 - 09:03 AM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Hal n Toe? / Hal an Tow
Subject: Lyr Add: HAL AN TOW
I believe the words wildlone cites are same as the Watersons version. Or very close. I have the following notes:

May 8 is (the apparition of) St Michael Day: in Cornwall, Furry Day. In Helston, they sang with drums & kettles:

Take no scorn to wear the horn
It was the crest when you were born
Your father's father wore it
And your father wore it too

Hal an tow, jolly rumbalo
We were up long before the day o
To welcome in the summer
To welcome in the may o
For summer is a-comin in
And winter's gone away o

from _English Folk-Rhymes_, GF Northall, 1892