BS: Happy May 1st!

Subject: BS: Happy May 1st!
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 01 May 14 - 03:34 AM

Wishing everyone a very happy May Day!

I was wondering if anyone here has May Day events, dancing etc where they live? (Maypoles and all that) There doesn't seem to be a lot here for some reason. Just the DFS sale (what's new?) and the usual Bank Holiday rubbish.
I've been kidding my husband that here in UK it's traditional to dance naked out in the fields at dawn on 1st May, with very naughty goings-on going on. For a few seconds I could see he was quite thrilled at the idea, then scepticism set in. Poor chap, I think he would have enjoyed that.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy May 1st!
From: Joe Offer
Date: 01 May 14 - 03:52 AM

Well, I sang The Internatioinale...but nobody listened.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: Happy May 1st!
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 01 May 14 - 04:16 AM

Ah, Joe, but did you sing it in the original French?

Subject: RE: BS: Happy May 1st!
From: GUEST, topsie
Date: 01 May 14 - 06:34 AM

Once, when taking a short cut on my way to watch Morris dancers dancing at dawn, I caught sight of a naked man walking through the dewy grass. When he realised he wasn't alone he looked most embarrassed. (I should add that I was fully dressed.)

Subject: RE: BS: Happy May 1st!
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 01 May 14 - 06:51 AM

Padstow's just down the road from us. We went once and it was very nice, though one could also have characterised it as an excuse for an all-day piss-up (nowt wrong with that in a world which is a vale of tears, of course!) Unfortunately, the weather for it has been rotten this morning. You do have to like that one tune, though, because that's all you hear all day!

Yep, happy May Day, unless you're a Tory, in which case bugger off and rot!

Subject: RE: BS: Happy May 1st!
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 01 May 14 - 06:56 AM

White rabbits, white rabbits, white rabbits!

Not that I'm superstitious.

Touch wood.

:D tG

Subject: RE: BS: Happy May 1st!
From: GUEST,Ed
Date: 01 May 14 - 07:17 AM

'White rabbits and hares' in my family. And I remembered! Yea!

A fine song for the day: www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZpylwVzqTA

Subject: RE: BS: Happy May 1st!
From: Notferjo
Date: 01 May 14 - 07:21 AM

Absolutely!

Morris Dancing in Perth, Western Australia with Perth Morris Men, Mad Tatters Morris and one of the Fair Maids of Perth.

Fantastic early morning dancing overlooking the City from Kings Park



Rosie

Subject: RE: BS: Happy May 1st!
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 01 May 14 - 07:40 AM

"...unless you're a Tory, in which case bugger off and rot!"

HELP! Mayday! Mayday!

[luvya2 Steve!]

Subject: RE: BS: Happy May 1st!
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 01 May 14 - 07:41 AM

& I'm sure Black Joak Morris would have been dancing in Sydney, Australia

They normally dance at Mrs Macquarie's chair overlooking Sydney Harbour & the famous Bridge

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Happy May 1st!
From: fat B****rd
Date: 01 May 14 - 02:48 PM

I always thought "White Rabbits" was only if there was an 'R' in the month.
Mind you my lovely Mum told me that and she would rush back in the house and turned round three times if she fond a piece of coal in the road.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy May 1st!
From: GUEST
Date: 01 May 14 - 03:27 PM

That's 'R' in the month thing is something to do with shellfish I think.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy May 1st!
From: GUEST, topsie
Date: 01 May 14 - 04:01 PM

The months that don't have an 'r' are summer months when the warmer weather might have meant the shellfish was not at its best in the days before refrigeration (but I would have thought that would apply in September as well).

Subject: RE: BS: Happy May 1st!
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 01 May 14 - 05:21 PM

Well I would imagine my motyher said MAYDAY....MAYDAY.... 66 years ago... because she gave birth to me.......on this day then!... Instead of slapping me as is usual to start breathing... the midwife took one look at me and slapped my mother! :) :)

Subject: RE: BS: Happy May 1st!
From: Bill D
Date: 01 May 14 - 05:22 PM

When I was in 3rd-4th grades, we actually had a Maypole at our school. This was in *gasp* Kansas! Now it's been 'defined' as Pagan...(thus-anti-Christian).. in most areas. We poor little kids had no idea we were being subjected to evil influences.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy May 1st!
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 01 May 14 - 05:33 PM

At the Royal Norfolk Show some years ago, there was a lovely maypole dancing event by some schoolchildren. There was also a display by a group of Masai warriors. The Masai were fascinated by the maypole, and were soon invited to join in. They took the ribbons in between the children, skipped around and howled with laughter at this bizarre English custom. Masai in traditional red robes and children in white dresses, dancing together on a sunny Norfolk day. I had tears in my eyes, it was absolutely magic.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy May 1st!
From: GUEST,Mrr at work
Date: 01 May 14 - 07:32 PM

Lilies of the valley to all!

Subject: RE: BS: Happy May 1st!
From: Ed T
Date: 01 May 14 - 09:00 PM

loyalty day or workers day in the USA? 

Subject: RE: BS: Happy May 1st!
From: Joe Offer
Date: 01 May 14 - 09:20 PM

Wikipedia article on Loyalty Day, May 1: With the exception of Eisenhower in 1959 and 1960, Loyalty Day has been recognized with an official proclamation every year by every president since its inception as a legal holiday in 1958.


I like Ike.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy May 1st!
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 01 May 14 - 11:39 PM

Oh, wow, it's time for traditional Rhode Island May breakfasts! How many can I go to this year? And I don't consider it traditional if it doesn't include johnnycakes and Boston-style baked beans. Clamcakes are good, too.

http://www.examiner.com/article/journeys-into-hidden-america-may-breakfasts-are-a-unique-rhode-island-tradition

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baked_beans#United_States

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clam_cake

Subject: RE: BS: Happy May 1st!
From: Little Robyn
Date: 02 May 14 - 05:17 AM

Oss Oss!
Wee Oss!
We had a phone call from Padstow as the Blue Oss came around by the band rotunda, beside the harbour, so we could hear the music. I tried to watch it on the Harbour webcam but the picture wasn't very clear. The raindrops were caught in the spider web and the only thing we could really see was down at the fun fair on the quay.
Made Pasties for dinner.
Happy Mayday.
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: Happy May 1st!
From: Little Robyn
Date: 02 May 14 - 05:21 AM

If you are on Facebook, take a look here:
Padstow Mayday
Oss Oss,
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: Happy May 1st!
From: Ebbie
Date: 02 May 14 - 12:06 PM

Joe O, I had to look up 'Loyalty Day'. It says it was started in 1921- and so far as I can recall, I'd never heard of it.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy May 1st!
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 02 May 14 - 05:32 PM

I did not get up for it this year, but Standon Morris will have danced up the sun.
The village pubs open for the occasion.
On Monday Standon will have a proper May Day with queen, maypole and morris and everything.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy May 1st!
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 02 May 14 - 05:37 PM

I was born this day in 1948... I don't believe in maypoles. I don't believe in anything other that I am a child of God and am fortunate to know Him personally........ I read my Bible and I pray to Him and get answers... If you don't believe in Him or what I am saying that's fine..... you all have your choices in life :) :)

Subject: RE: BS: Happy May 1st!
From: Jeri
Date: 02 May 14 - 05:50 PM

Bill, many Christian traditions started with pagan ones, as I'm sure you know. Easter eggs, Christmas in midwinter. They don't have to mean the same things now that they did then.
I don't think the Morris dancing-up-the-sun has been assimilated yet. It's awful early for some folks to get up.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy May 1st!
From: Joe Offer
Date: 02 May 14 - 06:23 PM

We had a maypole in Catholic school when I was growing up. We were well aware of the pagan roots of many Catholic practices, and didn't mind that at all. Fundamentalist Christians, of course, have a different attitude - and some condemn Catholics for their laxity on this. I don't know that maypoles are so much being condemned by Christians as a pagan custom, as they are being reclaimed by modern pagans as part of their tradition.

See The May-Pole of Merry Mount, by Nathaniel Hawthorne.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: Happy May 1st!
From: Joe_F
Date: 02 May 14 - 08:27 PM

Hurray! Hurray! The first of May!
Outdoor fucking begins today.

-- Said to be traditional at Vassar

Subject: RE: BS: Happy May 1st!
From: Ed T
Date: 02 May 14 - 08:42 PM

""Haggis is a kind of stuff black pudding eaten by the Scots and considered by them to be not only a delicacy but fit for human consumption. The minced heart, liver and lungs of a sheep, calf or other animal's inner organs are mixed with oatmeal, sealed and boiled in maw in the sheep's intestinal stomach-bag and... [Excuse me a minute.]""

Anon quote

Subject: RE: BS: Happy May 1st!
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 03 May 14 - 03:04 AM

Little Robyn and Steve, I always watch the Padstow celebrations on Youtube every May. That gorgeous song, it stays in the mind for days, it' so jaunty and joyful. I also love the Floral Dance but I'm not sure if that's in May? Perhaps someone could tell me.
The Royal Norfolk Show isn't in May, it's in the summer, but they have an area called The Village Green, where there's traditional dancing, including the maypole, crafts such as wood-turning and basket-making, and my favourite, Punch and Judy.
We went round the garden last night covering all our tubs and baskets to protect them from the frost, forecast on the news. This morning, I see there hasn't been a frost at all, and it's not even very cold. Daft buggers at the Weather Centre! I thought it was unlikely for May.
Happy May Bank Holiday to everyone!

Subject: RE: BS: Happy May 1st!
From: Little Robyn
Date: 03 May 14 - 08:39 PM

Eliza the Floral Dance or Helston's Furry Day or Flora Day - whichever you choose to call it, happens a week after the Padstow May Day. So it should happen on Thursday 8th May - next Thursday!
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: Happy May 1st!
From: Musket
Date: 04 May 14 - 05:43 AM

Now then co Messiah and co Messiah Emeritus with Gnomish attributes....

Around my neck of the woods, we shouted White Rabbits! On 1 March, not 1 May....

I like May Day. No religious cult has tried to claim it, so perhaps the only fully inclusive holiday we get without old ladies knocking on the door asking if we want to help celebrate the "real Christian" holiday rather than lay on the settee watching football and farting. As we are on holiday, it also means Mrs Musket only has to put in 9 days leave as next Monday is a bank holiday.

Ed, your anon quote is from Horace poem, in Monty Python's Big Red Book. Incidentally, I happen to know Jeremy Clarkson has a copy of said book and is known for quoting from it. Nobody has mentioned in the press story yet, but it includes eeny, meeny, miny, mo.......

Subject: RE: BS: Happy May 1st!
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 04 May 14 - 06:37 AM

Thank you Little Robyn. I do enjoy watching the Flora Dance on Youtube. All those beautifully dressed ladies and gentlemen dancing along in a row, changing partners every few seconds. And the Children's Dance, with the youngsters dressed all in white. Magical.

Musket, I'm sure you never fart.

It's 4th May (Sunday) and we're off to Norwich in a minute to stroll around and see the sights. There's often a ragtime band or jive band playing outside Jarrolds, and I always embarrass my husband by dancing along to the music. He never knows where to put his face.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy May 1st!
From: GUEST,McMusket
Date: 04 May 14 - 05:27 PM

I'd put my face in the nearest pub.



I never fart, correct. I invested in a blame hound.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy May 1st!
From: Ed T
Date: 04 May 14 - 07:59 PM

Thanks for the quote source, Mr. VanMusket:)

Subject: RE: BS: Happy May 1st!
From: Joe_F
Date: 04 May 14 - 08:32 PM

Musket: In the context of your argument, I think that Marxism has to count as a religious cult that has claimed May Day -- or anyway, I highly sectarian one.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy May 1st!
From: GUEST,McMusket
Date: 05 May 14 - 03:19 AM

True Joe. May Day is when missiles were dragged out to take the salute. Not sure Lenin & co had maypoles in mind. They had Poland in mind, but that's a different thing entirely.

Weather holding up here. Got some good walking in. Meeting friends in Inverness today. A break from sore feet.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy May 1st!
From: Megan L
Date: 05 May 14 - 03:47 AM

It is also saints day for these saints according to the web

St. Marculf

St. Aceolus

St. Acius

St. Aldebrandus

St. Amator

St. Andeolus

St. Arigius

St. Asaph

St. Augustus Schoffler

St. Benedict of Szkalka

St. Bertha of Kent

St. Bertha of Val d'Or

St. Brieuc

St. Buriana



St. Ceallach

St. Cominus

St. Evermarus

St. Grata

St. Isidora

St. Isidora the Simple

St. John-Louis Bonnard

St. Orentius

St. Orentius and Patientia

St. Panacea

St. Peregrine Laziosi

St. Riccardo Pampuri

St. Theodard

St. Ultan

:)

Subject: RE: BS: Happy May 1st!
From: Musket
Date: 05 May 14 - 04:29 AM

What about the saint days that move round a bit such as St Pancake?

Subject: RE: BS: Happy May 1st!
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 05 May 14 - 04:40 AM

I rather like the idea of St Isidora the Simple. Things are far too complicated these days.
And was Sr Grata's first name Cheese perhaps?