THE DANCE OF THE MORRIS MEN
Words David Grenville, Music Michael Jessett

The Hobby horse gently jogs away,
And waits with the Fool for the Piper to play
The music to which six youths will display
The colourful dance of the Morris men.

The handkerchiefs waving in the breeze,
The garters of bells that are tied to the knees,
Diagonal ribbons that tell us that these
Are dressed for the dance of the Morris men.

And now they begin; the men in rows
Move briskly together – their gaiety shows
The thrill of excitement waiting for those
Who join in the dance of the Morris men.

The stamping of feet and clash of sticks,
The jingle of bells and the Fool at his tricks
Combine to delight those watching the six
Performing the dance of the Morris men.


X: 1
T:Dance of the Morris men
M:6/8
L:1/8
S: Music Workshop “December Fair”
Z: NP 03/08/2022
K:C
C|E3/F/G F3/E/D| Czz z2C| E3/F/G A2G| A2B c2G| c3/d/e d3/c/B| A3/G/A G2C| E3/F/G A2G| F3/G/E F2D| F3/G/A G3/F/E| (G3/F/)D C2||
w: || *The Hob-by horse gent-ly jogs a-way, And waits with the Fool for the Pi-per to play The mu-sic to which six youths will dis-play The co-lour-ful dance of the Mor-*ris men.

This song appeared in BBC’s Music Workshop series for the Autumn 1969 term. The booklet was entitled “December Fair”. Although no attributions are given with the song, the whole booklet is described as “Libretto by David Granville, Music Michael Jessett, or trad, arranged by Michael Jessett.
I just thought it looked worth adding to the songs available here.
Apologies in advance to any 'Morris women', this song must be 'of its time'!
NP