Folklore: Dancing up the sun

27 Apr 07 - 09:44 AM (#2037105)
Subject: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: cloudstreet

There'll be dancing up the sun in Brisbane this May Day. I'm interested to find out how widespread (or otherwise) this practice is.

Are there any catters who dance at dawn on 1st May?

Forgive me if the answer to this question is absurdly obvious to you all, but I live in a cave.

John

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27 Apr 07 - 09:51 AM (#2037108)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: Schantieman

The Southport Swords (SW Lancs)are regularly (i.e. annually) to be seen in the centre of the town at 0525 or so. Dancing, singing and drinking when the beer festival starts at 0600!

Steve

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27 Apr 07 - 09:52 AM (#2037110)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: Snuffy

I will be dancing at dawn with the Shakespeare Morris Men in Stratford-upon-Avon, and within ten miles of us the Ilmington, Chipping Campden, Pebworth and White Hart Morris sides will all be similarly engaged.

That'll do for a start

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27 Apr 07 - 09:56 AM (#2037115)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: Dazbo

I'll be playing for dancing (Boggart's Breakfast border morris) at dawn on Tuesday morning - on top of a mountain in the Derbyshire Peak District (well, it's counts as a mountain in England)

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27 Apr 07 - 09:59 AM (#2037119)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: George Papavgeris

They do it in Oxford too. And I believe Eliza usually attends a related event in Yorkshire.

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27 Apr 07 - 12:12 PM (#2037213)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: ClaireBear

Teams in Santa Cruz, Berkeley, and Sebastopol (where I'll be) -- all in California -- Wouldn't miss it. I know there are other west coast teams who do this as well. We believe we're vying for "last" to dance up the sun, as our sunrise is later than most of the rest of the world's. Though there may be teams in British Columbia who are farther west, and certainly if there are any in Alaska...

New Zealand teams may be first, if they enact the tradition.

One member of Mayfield Morris (a women's side in Palo Alto, California) who has native Hawaiian ancestry used to talk about going to Hawaii and starting a team specifically to be last. Not sure if she ever did it, though.

Cheers,
Claire

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27 Apr 07 - 01:23 PM (#2037285)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: concertina ceol

I play for weald of kent morris and we dance at dawn in the village of Goudhurst. We do it at the church gates which is next to a pub called the star and eagle who hate us so it is all the more sweet dancing there ;-). We then "winster" through the village and do another stand at the duck pond.

Kits Coty dance at dawn at the Kits Coty stones (near Maidstone)

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27 Apr 07 - 02:14 PM (#2037324)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: JohnB

We will be dancing in High Park in Toronto Ontario Canada.
It will be the 10th year for some of us from Orange Peel Morris , the event however has been going on for over twenty five years (can't remember the exact number)
The other teams normally attending would include Green Fiddle Morris(Cotswold), Toronto Morris Men(Cotswold), The Belles of York(Northwest Clog), Toronto Women's Sword(Obvious),Cold Barn Morris(Cotswold), Half Crown Clog(Step Clog), Sorry if I missed anyone.
We dance near the Grenadier Restaurant in High Park at dawn, everyone does two show dances, these are interspersed with a couple of massed dances and a singing of Hal and Tow and the Padstow May song.
There can be a hundred or so, with onlookers etc. on a good warm day.
One of Orange Peel's dances will be a dance which we have stolen from Boggart's Breakfast when we danced with them and Pecsaetan(sp) and a couple of more tems, in Sheffield in 2004. So if you are in the neighbourhood Dazbo come and play for us, oh yes the dance is Stephensons Rocket.
There are at least two if not three teams on Vancouver Island, so you may be out of luck with the Guiness Book of records ClaireBear. It should not stop you drinking some Guiness though.

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27 Apr 07 - 02:17 PM (#2037327)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: Bernard

Alderley Edge (links with King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, Merlin, etc.) is the place to be!

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27 Apr 07 - 02:30 PM (#2037339)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: ClaireBear

JohnB

Yes, I know (and have raised pints, voices and concertinas with) several of those teams. Although Vancouver and especially Victoria are (less than a degree) farther west than Sebastopol, they're also so much farther north that sunrise comes earlier after the spring equinox. In Victoria, BC, 2006 May Morning sunrise was at 5:50 -- Sebastopol's was at 6:12.

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27 Apr 07 - 02:41 PM (#2037348)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: Les in Chorlton

What is special about the sun and May day?

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27 Apr 07 - 03:27 PM (#2037383)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: Les in Chorlton

"The Southport Swords (SW Lancs)are regularly (i.e. annually) to be seen in the centre of the town at 0525 or so. Dancing, singing and drinking when the beer festival starts at 0600!"

So thats SW Lancs dancing Yorkshire Longsword?

"I'll be playing for dancing (Boggart's Breakfast border morris) at dawn on Tuesday morning - on top of a mountain in the Derbyshire Peak District"

Border Morris in Derbyshire?

"I play for weald of kent morris and we dance at dawn in the village of Goudhurst. ............ We then "winster" through the village and do another stand at the duck pond.

Is that Winster in Derbyshire?

"Alderley Edge (links with King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, Merlin, etc.) is the place to be!"

That's Aurthur a fictional character?

Is anyone else confused?

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27 Apr 07 - 03:32 PM (#2037388)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: Bernard

Tradition has it that failure to 'welcome in the summer' will result in the nights continuing to grow longer, and summer will never come.

So do we risk it being a legend with no factual basis and ignore it completely, or do we do the sensible thing...?!

;o)

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27 Apr 07 - 03:41 PM (#2037402)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: GUEST,Rattler

Rattlejag Morris dance at sunrise (5.30 ish) on Castle Hill, Laxton, Nottinghamshire. Come and share our bacon, black pudding & beer breakfast!

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27 Apr 07 - 03:48 PM (#2037409)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: Les in Chorlton

"Tradition has it that failure to 'welcome in the summer' will result in the nights continuing to grow longer, and summer will never come."

Sounds good to me Bernard but wehat tradition is that?

Is May the start of Spring?

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27 Apr 07 - 03:50 PM (#2037413)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: MBSLynne

I will be watching Packington Morris (including my son, RAT-W) dancing from 4.30am on Breedon Hill in South Derbyshire. The forecast sounds as though we will actually be able to see the sun come up. It starts the summer for me every year.

Love Lynne

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27 Apr 07 - 04:05 PM (#2037427)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: GUEST,Tiddley Cove morris

In Vancouver BC, Tiddley Cove Morris and Vancouver Morris Men will be leaping about in Trimble Park from about 5:30 am. As usual. And then we descend on Joe's Grill for breakfast. He opens early especially for us.
www.vancouvermorrismen.org website has a long collection of May Day photos.
Rumour has it Bowen Island's Black Sheep Morris does something on the Island.
Somewhere there must be a morris link with this info for us?

AC in BC

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27 Apr 07 - 04:38 PM (#2037462)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: Les in Chorlton

Look, I know spoof is a dangerous word but......

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27 Apr 07 - 04:47 PM (#2037479)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: concertina ceol

Hi Les

May Day is traditionaly the first day of summer and I suppose the dancing is a remnant of the may fairs that were commonly held on this day throughout england. In theory the frosts are all finished so there is a celebration before the hardwork of planting begins.

The first of may has also gained a reputation in more recent times as a day when workers can assert their rights to fair pay, equal treatment etc. In their wisdom the british goverment have the may bank holiday as a "movable feast" and so the bank holiday usually falls on the nearest inconvenient day to may day.

Weald of Kent dance predominantly adderbury, bampton and headington dances being formed in 1988 by former members of two nearby cotswold sides Ravensbourne MM and Hartley MM. Surely you have heard of them?!

Peter

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27 Apr 07 - 05:52 PM (#2037544)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: Les in Chorlton

Hi Peter,

The sun also rises as they say.

I used to dance Cotswold with Chester City cica 1974. Loved Adderbury Black Joke. Learned the tune and have played it ever since.

Went to see Tom Paxton at Salford Lowry 2007. His musicians opened with Beeswing, Richrad Thompson, followed by Addurbury Black Joke!


Is anyone else confused?

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27 Apr 07 - 06:07 PM (#2037556)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: Sue the Borderer

Hi John (and Nicole)

This year I shall be dancing up the sun with Rattlejag in Nottinghamshire (see Rattler's post earlier)
The previous couple of years - when May Day did fall as part of the Bank Holiday weekend - I've run 'Herbaceous Border' at Upton Folk Festival in Worcestershire (so anyone who wanted could come along and dance or play at 5.15am.)
Last night, because I am going to miss Bideford Folk Club's own May Day Celebrations, I finished up the evening at Folk Club with your wonderful "Dance Up the Sun" song. On Tuesday the Club will be Singing in the May on the sailing schooner called the 'Kathleen and May' which is moored at Bideford. You can see it when you're in Devon again in October.

Merry Morrissing to you and all May Day dancers
Sue

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27 Apr 07 - 06:14 PM (#2037560)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: LesB

Les in Chorlton wrote "The Southport Swords (SW Lancs)are regularly (i.e. annually) to be seen in the centre of the town at 0525 or so. Dancing, singing and drinking when the beer festival starts at 0600!"

So thats SW Lancs dancing Yorkshire Longsword?

Yes & Cotswold & our own Sword Dances. The Yorkshire Tradition is pre-dated by references to Sword Dancing in Lancashire.

Cheers
Les in Southport

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27 Apr 07 - 06:42 PM (#2037572)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: Les in Chorlton

Cheers Les this is all good stuff.

"The Yorkshire Tradition is pre-dated by references to Sword Dancing in Lancashire."

This does ring a bell, but what is the evidence?

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27 Apr 07 - 08:49 PM (#2037633)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: Snuffy

Shakespeare Morris, being guardians of the Bidford-on-Avon tradition, always start at 5.20 with Morning Star, Bidford, and will do many other Bidford dances in the ensuing two hours. But we may also do "foreign" dances from places 20 miles away like Bledington or Upton-on-Severn or even Bampton

Chipping Campden & Ilmington both dance only dances from their local traditions, while Pebworth dance several dances from the Pebworth tradition that they have evolved over the last 25 years.

Is that local enough for you, Les?

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27 Apr 07 - 10:12 PM (#2037670)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: cloudstreet

As an aside, I have noticed on occasion that some morrisers (new word) get a little heated when slightly paganistic inklings are associated with morris. It seems that the tradition of dancing is fine, but applying any broader/older/spiritual context is somehow frowned upon. Are there many schools of thought when it comes to what morris is all about? Perhaps it's a "new world" thing.

Food for thought.

Yours (with bells on)

John

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28 Apr 07 - 03:07 AM (#2037735)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: Liz the Squeak

Could it be that the previous night, known as Beltane, was a night of feasting and bonfires, that just lasted until dawn?

Everything you ever wanted to know about Beltane and a few things you didn't need to.

LTS

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28 Apr 07 - 03:34 AM (#2037748)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: treewind

"Are there many schools of thought when it comes to what morris is all about?"
In a word, yes!

My personal opinion is that confusion arises because the practice of morris dancing goes back a long way and may be associated with pagan ritual or certainly with pagan seasonal celebrations, but the content of the dances as done today comes from more recent sources, being apparently a parody of social dancing.

I'm not even sure about the seasonal celebrations now, come to think of it. Morris men would have come out to dance on May day because it was a public holiday: they couldn't do it any other time because they'd be working! And May day as a holiday has plenty of pagan connections which are obvious from all the songs about winter going away, welcoming the Summer and and the "fertility" shenanigans that are supposed to have happened out in the woods the night before - so Morris Dancing could have become associated with paganism by coincidence.

I'm told Devil's Dyke Morris will be up and dancing early in the morning here in Cambridgeshire, but I doubt I'll be joining them until their musicians meet for a session in the evening!

Anahata

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28 Apr 07 - 05:43 AM (#2037791)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: Les in Chorlton

Shakespeare Morris, being guardians of the Bidford-on-Avon tradition, Sounds good to me Snuffy.

Could it be that the central theme of Morris for the last 4 - 500 years has been people dancing, playing tunes, singing and generally have lots of fun?

Most attempts to give any other significance seems to call on little evidence and lots of personal opinions.

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28 Apr 07 - 09:13 AM (#2037890)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: Bernard

I'm sure you're right, Les. It's a bit like the archaeologists' way of explaining their unexplainable finds as 'something connected with ritual'... then, when they find out what it really  is the other explanation fades away!

There are as many explanations of the Morris as there are people doing it - and the fact that so many different traditions come under the 'Morris Umbrella' (I've got one!), it seems daft to try to make one explanation fit all.

The 'Moorish' connection which is supposed (by some) to explain the word 'Morris' seems valid with dancers such as the Britannia Coconutters from Bacup and some Border Morris, possibly Molly, too. It doesn't fit at all with Cotswold or North West, nor does it seem to sit well with Rapper, Longsword et al. Apologies to those whose traditions I have omitted!

Of course, this is just my  opinion...!!

o;)

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28 Apr 07 - 10:59 AM (#2037951)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: Cats

As Jon will be in Padstow overnight,I will be all on my ownsome but will go up to the Hurlers on Bodmin Moor to welcome summer in [even though it is a midwinter solstice oriented set of stone circles] and I really expect to find our local morris team, Wreckers, there as well as many local pagans, so best of both worlds really.

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28 Apr 07 - 02:17 PM (#2038115)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: Les in Chorlton

"I will be all on my ownsome but will go up to the Hurlers on Bodmin Moor to welcome summer in [even though it is a midwinter solstice oriented set of stone circles]"

Sounds like a great idea I trust you have lots of fun.

I don't work for the folk police but..................

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28 Apr 07 - 04:02 PM (#2038194)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: Cats

point taken, thanks Les.

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28 Apr 07 - 10:00 PM (#2038389)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: GUEST,Jim Martin

Does anyone know where it's celebrated in Ireland?

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29 Apr 07 - 05:27 AM (#2038533)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: concertina ceol

Mr John "Cloudstreet"

Love your song "Dancing up the sun" - I've got about 36 hours to learn it! Great stuff. Hope to come and listen to you (again) when you are back in the UK in the autumn.

Happy May Day!

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29 Apr 07 - 08:36 AM (#2038598)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: Mick Tems

I don't dance, following my "event" six years ago, but I mean to be on Llantrisant Hill at 5.46am, worshipping the sunrise. A few friends will go to Minehead to follow the Minehead Sailors' Horse. There's a Welsh May carol, Calan Mai (in English, Welcome Dearest May), and I really have got to learn it sometime!

For us, May Day is a part of welcoming the summer - but for you, John, like all antipodeans, May Day marks the end of summer and the beginning of winter. The folk club says: Thanks for the Wednesday evening gig - you're a pair of good mates!

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29 Apr 07 - 12:41 PM (#2038759)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: LesB

I wrote..."The Yorkshire Tradition is pre-dated by references to Sword Dancing in Lancashire."
Les in Chorlton wrote..............
"This does ring a bell, but what is the evidence"?
This is taken from "Blundell's Diary & Letter Book"
Jan 6th 1712 "We had a Merry Night. Rich Tatlock played here. We had a great many Danses. They dansed my Sword Danse"............there is also a reference to teaching an 8 man Sword Dance which was performed at the finishing of his Marl-pit. (not sure of the year but I can check)
I am told that this pre-dates Yorkshire references.
Cheers
Les

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29 Apr 07 - 05:00 PM (#2038918)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: Mo the caller

Why not dance the sun up in December? You wouldn't have to get up so early.

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29 Apr 07 - 05:49 PM (#2038960)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: McGrath of Harlow

They'll be dancing it up by the Pudding Stone at Standon in Hertfordshire. God knows what disaster would happen if they didn't turn up and do their stuff.

I'll be in my bed at Harlow. But I'll be there the following Monday for the Standon May Day, misplaced to the Bank Holiday.

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30 Apr 07 - 03:04 AM (#2039210)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: Les in Chorlton

That's fascinating Les B. Do you ahve an idea of the nature of the dance? I remember a thread about the Abram Circle Dance, which is quite unlike most Nothwest dances. The implication being that it was closer in style to Cotswold and hence evidence of Morris that pre-dates the "Industrial" Morris of clogs, big sides and bands.

Is their no evidence of longsword in Yorkshire before 1712?

Thanks for that

Cheers

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30 Apr 07 - 07:23 AM (#2039298)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: JennyO

The Sydney Morris Men always dance up the sun on Mayday at Mrs Macquarie's Chair in the Domain in Sydney. I've even managed to get there a couple of times. I must say it is worth the effort of getting up so early if you can make yourself do it.

We work our way round Circular Quay and stop at the Lord Nelson at The Rocks for a hearty breakfast, washed down by one of their good brews. I like "Three Sheets".

After that it turns into a bit of a pub crawl, with them dancing at each pub. When I finally leave about lunch time - they are always still going strong!

Not sure if I'll manage it this year - I still feel like I'm recovering from festivals, and I'm preparing for a big do at my folk club on Thursday - The John Howard Memorial Trophy Seditious Scribblers Award! Strangely enough ;-) people are climbing over each other to write little ditties about bonsai johnnie. There'll be voting for the best song/poem, so I've gotta go make some ballot boxes. Should be lots of fun!

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30 Apr 07 - 01:48 PM (#2039583)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: GUEST,Wayne

If you're in the vicinity of Otley Chevin, in Yorkshire, Wayzgoose, Briggate and Buttercross Belles will be dancing in the dawn, at the top. Briggate will be there from about 4am. Nutters!

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30 Apr 07 - 11:55 PM (#2040009)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: Snuffy

Well, it's nearly 5am, so I'm about to put my shoes on and go out to Stratford to do the business.

Have a good one, everybody

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01 May 07 - 01:50 AM (#2040061)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: Cats

Bright Blessings on this most auspicious Beltane. A thunder storm at 5am followed by clear skies with intense pink for dawn and a ball of liquid gold. That's the Goddess at work!

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01 May 07 - 02:11 AM (#2040071)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: Anglo

Not too long till 5am here in the eastern US where I know my friends in the Putney (Vermont) Morris will be dancing at dawn at the top of Putney mountain, as thay have done annually for close to 30 years.

(I however am on my way to bed).

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01 May 07 - 04:08 AM (#2040116)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: ClaireBear

Four hours yet til we start dancing. Jez Lowe played at the house where I'm staying tonight; he's asleep upstairs now but may join us in the morning for our Maying. What fun!

I'm just checking in after catching up on some work I won't be at work to do in the morning.

I wish you a gladsome May!

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01 May 07 - 04:19 AM (#2040121)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: Schantieman

Hail, hail, the first of May-o

S

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01 May 07 - 04:48 AM (#2040133)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: GUEST,Aark

Datchet Border Morris dance at Runnymede (Of Magna Carta fame) on May 1st at 5.30am. The tea rooms open specially and performers and audience can enjoy a cooked breakfast afterwards.

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01 May 07 - 05:00 AM (#2040141)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: GUEST,CHRIS

Hunters Moon Morris were up this morning to dance up the sun. We got some good photo's of the sun rising up from the over the sea. Check out our myspace site this evening.

Chris

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01 May 07 - 05:13 AM (#2040147)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: GUEST,Chris

Oops Sorry, I forgot to say Hunters Moon Morris are based in Eastbourne hence the reference to sea/sun. This was the best Sun Up we have had for a long time. Crystal clear blue sky. Let's hope it's like this for Rochester Sweeps and Hastings Traditional Jack in the Green this weekend.

For summer is a cummin in....

Chris

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01 May 07 - 07:06 AM (#2040193)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: LesB

Hi Clair Bear, Tell Jez Happy May day from the Southport Swords.
Cheers
Les

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01 May 07 - 07:54 AM (#2040217)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: GUEST,dizzy

Just back from Bluebell Hill in Kent, where we (Motley Morris) woke Jack with Martin Graebe's "Jack in the Green" song sung by the lovely John Moon, and some very loud dancing.
Half a dozen morris sides, A good crowd, beautiful weather, some interesting sloe gins and other assorted hip flasks, a highly alcoholic cake and a splendid way to welcome May Day.
Onwards and upwards to Sweeps.

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01 May 07 - 08:02 AM (#2040222)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: Liz the Squeak

I didn't quite dance up the sun, but I was awake and peeing when it nudged its way over the rooftops in London. Leastways, I think it was, the bathroom faces west.

And does anyone know how my mobile phone got to be under my pillow when I put it on the bedside table?

LTS

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01 May 07 - 08:07 AM (#2040227)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: Little Robyn

I've heard the Oss this year!
We had a phone call from Padstow as the Blue Oss came up St Edmund's Lane!!!!
OSS OSS!
Keep 'er gain'.
Robyn

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01 May 07 - 08:44 AM (#2040264)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: GUEST,Cats

I'm so glad for you Robyn. 'Oss 'Oss

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01 May 07 - 03:23 PM (#2040551)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: GUEST,Eye Lander

Well Andy and I were up at sparrow fart to go and watch Men of Wight dance on Mottistone Down at the Longstone, then we witnessed a Druid ceremony, and to cap it all, a full English on the Quayside at Newport courtesy of Dave and Caroline and in glorious sunshine. What a start to the day!

Jillie

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02 May 07 - 05:05 AM (#2041022)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: Les in Chorlton

Sailargh,

do Aboriginal People have calender customs or any other customs associated with the natural events of the year?

Cheers

Les

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02 May 07 - 05:30 AM (#2041042)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: MuddleC

Well, I think I'd better report to MI6, the suspicious goingson I witnessed yesterday morning...

There I was on this hill-top at 4.30 in the morning, just me the 12thcentury church and the graveyard.... when a group of sinister people started to arrive in ones and twos.... Many were dressed for the cold wind, and had brought spirits to fortify them... many were in ceremominal garb.. oh no! I thought, it's one of those fundamentalist religious groups holding some kind of training session. This seemed harmless enough at first , as these white ninjas used nothing on each other but handerkerchiefs.... a sophisticated scoring device was attached to each of their lower legs and thiese would emit a jingling sound when ever someone was deemed to have received a 'hit',or a 'death-kick' from some other protagonist. Eventually this was not enough for these men-in-white, for as the sun rose above the far horizon, they discarded the hankie for a deadly baton of hazel or ash which they used to rain frenzied blows down upon one other. All this was done with ancient chant or to the frenzied playing of a melodic reed instument, its' bellows wheezing gleefully animal-like with the strain... then as the sun rose higher, they were gone, like guerillas in the mist..... Breedon Hill could slumber till next year

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02 May 07 - 05:41 AM (#2041054)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: MuddleC

I forgot to say that there was some dam fool running about between the bandolier-draped warriors of Morris, and how he got his coat cut to ribbons so was a mystery, for I saw no blades... it was only fit for rags afterwards.......

sorry I missed Packington in the evening msblynne shady ratboy et Ted. but I was john kernackerknackered!!

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29 Apr 08 - 03:15 AM (#2328354)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: Sailargh

Bump.

Three days to May Day! (2008)

Who's left to 'do it' again for another year? Tradition saved and all that, eh?

Cheers, JD - counting down the pints, err, minutes
Quicksbottom Morris
Vancouver Is./Victoria Morris page/list
--
Clover Point, Victoria, BC
Ric Goldman's Left Coast of NA May Day page

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22 Apr 11 - 02:25 PM (#3140480)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: GUEST,Kath Overfield

Yorkshire Coast Morris of Scarborough, N.Yorkshire will be up on Oliver's Mount from 5-ish [sun up 5.20 or so] to dance the sun up on May Day 2011. Then it's back to Fran's house for a well earned brekkie.

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22 Apr 11 - 05:47 PM (#3140635)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: GUEST,Rattler

Yet again, Rattlejag Morris will dance in the rising sun on Castle Hill, Laxton, Nottinghamshire on May Morning, in a tradition that stretches back into the last century! We welcome all who share the spirit of the occasion - and cater for the physical needs too, with beer & butties.

Whether it's really pagan or a secularised community entertainment is rather an academic point when you're involved: The excitement of preparation, the awareness of the many (yes, many) spectators, the layers of history in the ground we dance on, all give a feeling of BEING a red-letter day on the calendar; the integration of the self with the natural cycle.

We're often lucky enough to experience that moment of revelation that is the sun actually bursting over the horizon AS we're dancing, like a floodlight onto our stage. The adrenalin shot of that instant might have made a "ritual dancer" of any tradition believe in the power of what they were doing!

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22 Apr 11 - 06:23 PM (#3140663)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: treewind

Mary and I will be with Pig Dyke Molly, making the Summer start at Holme Fen (the lowest point in the country, 5m below sea level), after which we will be joining the Northstowe Mummers with their May Garland carried through the streets of Cambridge, a tradition revived last year after a gap of 50 years.

Anahata

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23 Apr 11 - 12:55 AM (#3140845)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: JohnB

Orange Peel Morris will be at High Park in Toronto at dawn EST.
Along with the usual culprits, Green Fiddle, Toronto Morris Men, Toronto Womens Sword, The Belles of York, Half Crown Clog, Cold Barn Morris perhaps, and maybe a couple of other teams.
My added complication is that a choir I sing with have a concert on the evening of April 30th and another in the afternoon on May 1st.
It is going to be quite the weekend.
JohnB

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23 Apr 11 - 01:43 PM (#3141176)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: Tig

I'm going to be at Thornborough Henge - the biggest in the UK (look it up on Google).

It should be some event. Dancing 5.30am.

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23 Apr 11 - 03:50 PM (#3141263)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: Sian H

Summer seems to have come early this year in Sussex. Hottest April since records began. The Hastings Traditional Jack in the Green 2011 has lots going on all weekend. (See website) There will be plenty of local Morris Dancers, and probably some visiting sides too, dancing at dawn, and making sure Summer doesn't go away again. (Well not yet anyway).

I'll be there.

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24 Apr 11 - 10:34 AM (#3141625)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: Desert Dancer

I danced up the sun once a long time ago.

May Day is my birthday. Wonder if I can convince astro to get up for a pre-dawn drive to Venice Pier for Rising Phoenix, since I'll have that for extra wheedling power. Since his knees are precluding contra dancing lately, we're less likely to be up late the night before...

~ Becky in Tucson
(in Long Beach on that date)

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24 Apr 11 - 04:18 PM (#3141801)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)

For the first time in my memory, the local morris teams will be dancing up the sun a half mile from my house, in my local village. The local mountaintops have all begun requiring permits for group events, so I'll have to do my best to roll myself out of bed for this occasion.

I'm so grateful to all of you who keep up the tradition, ensuring that the sun will rise, the crops will grow, and the harvest burgeon yet again!

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25 Apr 11 - 12:17 AM (#3141985)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dancing up the sun
From: The Fooles Troupe

"go up to the Hurlers on Bodmin Moor"

We Aussies have an old tradition of Hurling too - well depicted by Barry Mackenzie in the Movie. Takes place after, or even during bouts of obsessive sustained drinking - the result is often called a Technicolor Yawn. Always contains diced carrots.

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