Lyr Req: Padstow Obby Hoss

Subject: Lyr Req: Padstow Obby Oss
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 30 Apr 11 - 04:20 PM

Can anyone tell me the words sung in a sad way when the Oss appears to lie down? And here are some more questions! What is the significance of the man poking the Oss with a thing on a stick? And why are there dancers in blue sashes and others in red? And what does "Oss Oss Wee Oss" mean? Just watched several Youtube videos, fascinating!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Padstow Obby Hoss
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 30 Apr 11 - 05:13 PM

Oh where is St. George,
Oh where is he-o,
He is out in his long boat on the salt sea-o.
Up flies the kite and down tails the lark-o
Aunt Ursula Birdhood she had an old ewe
And she died in her own park-o.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Padstow Obby Hoss
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 30 Apr 11 - 05:17 PM

There are two main Osses - the red oss and the blue oss. Wearing blue kerchiefs or red denotes which oss people follow.

The teazers dance in front of the oss and interact with it - they don't poke it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Padstow Obby Hoss
From: Edthefolkie
Date: 30 Apr 11 - 05:18 PM

Here's the words from the Blue Ribbon Oss website. It's the verse which starts "Oh where is Saint George"
http://www.blueribbonoss.org.uk/maysong.html

The chap with the stick (club) is the Teazer. He/she dances with the Oss, and when it "dies" he/she touches the Oss and it comes back to life. It's magic you see.

The people with red sashes are the Old Oss team - this is the original team. The Blue sashed people are the Blue Ribbon Oss team. Started I believe some time before World War 1 as a "temperance" side (not any more...), became the "Peace Oss" after WW1. Now known as the Blue Ribbon Oss. The two Osses meet round the maypole a couple of times during the day. There is at least one children's Oss too, a smaller version.

"Oss Oss Wee Oss" I suppose is an encouraging shout, also alleged to imitate a horse whinny! There are other encouragements such as "Keep 'er gain!" It's blooming hard work carrying the Oss, and a few beers may be consumed which make it even harder.

There is loads of info about May Day on the Web, but it is a must to see at least once in your life. Go with respect though - remember that it's the people of Padstow's day above everything else. Wish I was going - is it Sunday or Monday this year?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Padstow Obby Hoss
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 30 Apr 11 - 05:19 PM

Monday.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Padstow Obby Hoss
From: Little Robyn
Date: 30 Apr 11 - 08:56 PM

Hi Eliza
There are several threads here already that should tell you all you want to know about Padstow's Obby Oss.

The links at the top also lead you to other threads.
I wish I could be there right now.
OSS OSS
WEE OSS
Robyn

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Padstow Obby Hoss
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 01 May 11 - 03:23 AM

Thank you everybody! It's a wonderful tradition, and I agree, I must go there one day to see it. I had no idea there were two osses and a children's one! And I'm glad I now know the words to the verse about St George.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Padstow Obby Hoss
From: Edthefolkie
Date: 01 May 11 - 02:44 PM

Thanks Ruth - less than 5 hr to the Night Singing then!

This is one of the most magical parts of May day. In the evening, the pubs are heaving and the noise level is pretty high because of the Mayers' drums and other instruments! But just before midnight a crowd gathers outside the Golden Lion and a hush falls - everybody is waiting for the church clock to strike. Then the crowd (without accompaniment or Oss) sing:

Unite and unite and let us all unite,
For summer is acome unto day,
And whither we are going we will all unite,
In the merry morning of May

Arise up Martin Rickard, and joy you betide
For summer is acome unto day,
And bright is your bride that lies by your side,
In the merry morning of May

Now fare you well, and we bid you all good cheer,
For summer is acome unto day,
We'll call once more unto your house before another year,
In the merry morning of May

The Mayers then go off round Padstow to sing to other fortunate people. The order and number of verses varies according to custom and what the singers feel like singing! I imagine the one asking for some beer may be sung outside the pub...

Anybody know if they they serenade Rick Stein? "And give to us some fish'n'chips and the merrier we will sing" would be a hoot. Sorry, Padstonians.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Padstow Obby Hoss
From: Little Robyn
Date: 01 May 11 - 06:33 PM

About half an hour to go........
OSS OSS
Robyn

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Padstow Obby Hoss
From: Little Robyn
Date: 02 May 11 - 06:50 AM

We've just had a phone call from Padstow - we heard the Red Oss band playing. There's a web cam at the harbour but my computer isn't able to pick it up. I think the web site is here

But I'm not sure about that.
You should be able to see some action if you can get onto the right site.
OSS OSS
Robyn

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Padstow Obby Hoss
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 02 May 11 - 07:18 AM

Unite and unite.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Padstow Obby Hoss
From: Little Robyn
Date: 02 May 11 - 04:13 PM

Well they should be leading the Blue Oss to his stable about now.
Farewell, farewell my own true love.........
Until next year.
Robyn