Celebrate Mayday!

Subject: RE: Celebrate Mayday!
From: Dead Horse
Date: 03 May 02 - 08:35 AM

Bugger Hastings. The morris lot to which I am attached will be there, but seeing s how I reside in Rochester, Kent, I shall be at THE Sweeps Festival. If (underline IF) I should get slightly the worse for alcoholic intake, then I can stagger home on my own one....two....feets. + Joe Stead will be singing shanties (no doubt with a May Day flavour) and so shall I, so there.
Seperate thread for May type shanties anyone?
Rolling Down To Old Maywee
Maggie May
Fire May-ringo
Firing The May-retainer
etc.

Subject: RE: Celebrate Mayday!
From: CapriUni
Date: 02 May 02 - 09:54 PM

I don't remember that from the C.T., but then again, it's been a long time since I read it...

Subject: RE: Celebrate Mayday!
From: Allan C.
Date: 02 May 02 - 01:37 PM

On another related thread I posed this question; but perhaps it would be better placed here. With regard to the rhyme about certain outdoor activities that begin on the first of May, (as noted by Greg and Guest among the first posts above,) I have been told that a reference to this (or even a very similar rhyme) can be found in "The Canterbury Tales". Any truth to this?

Subject: RE: Celebrate Mayday!
From: CapriUni
Date: 02 May 02 - 12:38 PM

Our local Pagan Potluck Beltane picnic is this Sunday... On the Agenda: the second half of the story of Persephone and Hades (the first half, her descent into the underworld, was performed last Samhain).

No doubt there will be a maypole dance, but I'm afraid the music will be limited to drumming -- and maybe chanting. Most of the local Pagans I've met so far are really shy of melody ... afraid of hitting a wrong note perhaps. One of these years, I bring a passal of kazzoos ...

Subject: RE: Celebrate Mayday!
From: GUEST,JohnB
Date: 02 May 02 - 12:17 PM

Still recovering from yestedays festivities, High Park Toronto at dawn. Pot luck Breackfast at the Mayberry's, Tranzac at 10.30. Allday dancing/singing/drinking. Barbeque at Bev and Griffs with Johnny Collins et al, til whenever. Up at 6.00 to go to work, yawwwwwn. JohnB.

Subject: RE: Celebrate Mayday!
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 02 May 02 - 05:12 AM

To continue the thoughts expressed above: "Hurray Hurray; The First of May........"

The first of May has come and gone;
When lithe young bodies decked the lawn!"

Subject: RE: Celebrate Mayday!
From: CapriUni
Date: 01 May 02 - 01:05 PM

Bennet -- I'll be there in spirit. If only I had my own TARDIS, I'd be there in person...

Subject: RE: Celebrate Mayday!
From: Bennet Zurofsky
Date: 01 May 02 - 11:30 AM

Today is Mayday! It is a day of International Worker Celebration! Tonight at 7 p.m. there will be a Mayday Celebration at the American Labor Museum/Botto House National Landmark in Haledon, NJ (83 Norwood Street; (973-595-7953)! Appearing, among others, will be The Solidarity Singers of the IUC, Anne Feeney, Paul Robeson and Mother Jones! The Solidarity Singers will also be releasing their new CD "Solidarity Can't Be Beat"! There will be refreshments and admission is free! Please come!

Subject: RE: Celebrate Mayday!
From: Ian Darby
Date: 28 Apr 02 - 10:07 PM

greg stephens,

Good Man! I'll be in a Stone Circle somewhere on the day.

The 'Nine Ladies' on Stanton Moor in the Peak District is a good place, attracts some pleasant freaks, and I normally hear my first Cuckoo of the year there.

If you're that way inclined, have a look at Julian Cope's book, 'The Modern Antiquarian'.

Subject: RE: Celebrate Mayday!
From: Rustic Rebel
Date: 28 Apr 02 - 07:12 PM

Here's a little info on what that maypole represents-click here And if you want some good laughs scroll down the page and click on funny things. Also a lot of other info at this site. Happy Mayday
Rustic

Subject: RE: Celebrate Mayday!
From: CapriUni
Date: 28 Apr 02 - 06:04 PM

Jean -- Will do! (as soon as I get my VCR repaired... for some reason, the durn thing tries to slurp the tape off its reels whenever I rewind... This just gives me one more reason to call a repairman sooner rather than later) ;-)

Subject: RE: Celebrate Mayday!
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 28 Apr 02 - 05:23 PM

CapriUni- Yes. Go to my website (www.jeanritchie.com)and click on the "Videos" box on the banner just underneath the Homepage name.

Subject: RE: Celebrate Mayday!
From: GUEST,Jenna Shrub
Date: 28 Apr 02 - 12:29 PM

It is a blast! And not just for the kiddies either! ;-)

Subject: RE: Celebrate Mayday!
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 28 Apr 02 - 12:03 PM

Les B

Don't knock what??? (And how do you know I haven't tried it?)

Patrick Ryan the storyteller was at the English National Folk Music Festival a fortnight ago.

Micca - Upton = Upton on Severn, next weekend. There is a separate thread up on this, but I can't do clickies yet. PM me if you want to know more.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Celebrate Mayday!
From: CapriUni
Date: 28 Apr 02 - 12:00 PM

Jenna --

I saw a bit of that on the kids' show Zoom last year -- as one of their "Guests" spots highlighting kids who do interesting things. Looked like a blast!

Subject: RE: Celebrate Mayday!
From: GUEST,Jenna Shrub
Date: 28 Apr 02 - 11:31 AM

How could it be that no one on Mudcat has mentioned...

...the largest active May Day celebration I know of, which combines both the worker's holiday and the pagan one, is Minneapolis' In the Heart of the Beast Puppet & Mask Theatre's May Day Parade and Festival:

http://www.heartofthebeasttheatre.org/mayday/index.html

It is astounding, beautiful, inspiring and HUGE!

Subject: RE: Celebrate Mayday!
From: CapriUni
Date: 27 Apr 02 - 08:13 PM

Jean --

Now that sounds like a fun experience!! Is it available on VHS, by any chance?

Subject: RE: Celebrate Mayday!
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 27 Apr 02 - 07:02 PM

"OSS!OSS!WEE OSS! George Pickow, my husband did the filming; Alan Lomax the directing; Peter Kennedy was the producer. I did the sound (a magnacorder, the first portable machine with good quality, they say). Set up the recording machine in the back of our Citroen Normal 11CV, and we followed the procession around Padstow.

Subject: RE: Celebrate Mayday!
From: CapriUni
Date: 26 Apr 02 - 05:21 PM

You mean the one Shakespeare wrote about (Where Henry V beat the French at Agincourt)?

Interesting. I was just watching tennis on the tv, last weekend, and started thinking about that play...

What whas the title of the movie you did in 1953? (If I can find it, I'll look for your dancing feet!) :-)

Subject: RE: Celebrate Mayday!
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 26 Apr 02 - 04:04 PM

I don't know which war it was, CapriUni- maybe the one involving the tennis balls? Anyway, that was one of the verses sung when we were there making the film, all those years ago...1953? Those are my feet dancing under the old Oss's skirt! Jean

Subject: RE: Celebrate Mayday!
From: GUEST,MAG at work
Date: 26 Apr 02 - 02:06 PM

Yes, LesB, Patrick is a storyteller. that is mainly how I know him, from our old Chicago Storytellers Guild. If he has access to this list, please have him PM me. It is wonderful to be able to connect with old friends. He can PM me at mag' .

Subject: RE: Celebrate Mayday!
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 26 Apr 02 - 05:08 AM

Celebrate Mayday, a couple of songs I couldn't find in the DT have been added in this parallel thread.Here

Subject: RE: Celebrate Mayday!
From: simon-pierre
Date: 26 Apr 02 - 01:43 AM

Mayday survive communism! Capitalism is next!!!

(printed in Adbusters last year)

Subject: RE: Celebrate Mayday!
From: GUEST,Les B(UK)
Date: 25 Apr 02 - 01:47 PM

Kitty, don't knock it till you've tried it!
Mag i'll look out for a red headed yank with bells on, I'm sure to see him somewhere.(Sudden thought-He's not the storyteller chappie is he?) Les

Subject: RE: Celebrate Mayday!
From: GUEST,MAG at work
Date: 25 Apr 02 - 12:52 PM

Les B., please say hi to Patrick Ryan for me if you know him. He belongs to one Morris team or another. (redheaded yank living in England.)

anyone have any good pic links of a real hobby horse costume? I want to show it at storytime next week -- a May Day program, natch. -- MAG

Subject: RE: Celebrate Mayday!
From: GUEST,vectis at work
Date: 25 Apr 02 - 09:40 AM

I'd love to but I'm the one teaching everyone elses kids.
Buggeritt

Subject: RE: Celebrate Mayday!
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Apr 02 - 08:40 AM

Kitty, 1st May erecting is obviously necessary if we are going to have the outdoor f---ing they have been talking about! Vectis...book a day's holiday. I keep my kids off school, and I'm perfectly honest to the school about why I do so. I believe we should have the public holiday on May 1st, not the nearest Monday. This is done too much these days. How long before we have to have Christmas on the nearest Monday to 25th December?

Subject: RE: Celebrate Mayday!
From: GUEST,micca at work
Date: 25 Apr 02 - 04:50 AM

Sponge, due to circumstances not connected with the event, I may not be present, Kitty, Upton??? Upton what?Where? when?? (Upton o good, maybe)?? moi?

Subject: RE: Celebrate Mayday!
From: CapriUni
Date: 24 Apr 02 - 11:40 PM

Ga-a-ar-lic! Now there's a reason to celebrate! *BG*

Combine with outdoor *frolicking* :::Ahem::: at your own risk (if you're fortunate, you'll find someone who doesn't care ;-))

Subject: RE: Celebrate Mayday!
From: Gypsy
Date: 24 Apr 02 - 10:44 PM

That's right, CapriUni. We will kick of Mayday with the opening of Farmers Market. The ground is plowed and fecund, the garlic is ripening....and oh yeah, outdoor fuckin'is just begun!

Subject: RE: Celebrate Mayday!
From: Gareth
Date: 24 Apr 02 - 07:07 PM

Er ! Hastings - The Normans are landing ??

Gareth

Subject: RE: Celebrate Mayday!
From: sponge
Date: 24 Apr 02 - 07:01 PM

. Sadly due to recent events ,this may not happen this year, or at least ,not in its usual form..so this Mayday who knows??!!

So what is happening about Hastings that you aren't sharing with us Micca? There's been nothing in the publicity about it......

Subject: RE: Celebrate Mayday!
From: vectis
Date: 24 Apr 02 - 07:01 PM

Greet the dawn on a local hilltop with dance and song. Drink ale, eat cake. Go to BLOODY work. Pagans don't get religious days off unlike christians. It's not fair
after all
WE WERE HERE FIRST!!!!!!!!

Subject: RE: Celebrate Mayday!
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 24 Apr 02 - 06:44 PM

Les B

You might want to think about some strategically placed commas and/ or dashes too! What's this about the 1 May erecting?

Subject: RE: Celebrate Mayday!
From: GUEST,LesB(uk)
Date: 24 Apr 02 - 06:11 PM

I'll be up at dawn on the 1st May erecting and dancing around the Maypole with the Southport Swords and having a bacon buttie & a pint of Coniston Bluebird, in the Scarisbrick Hotel, Southport, when we open their Beer Festival.
LesB
Whoops forgot to close the quote marks.

Subject: RE: Celebrate Mayday!
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 24 Apr 02 - 05:50 PM

Micca

If you're not going to Hastings, what's your alibi for not getting to Upton? (Shellbacks are booked too!)

Kitty

Subject: RE: Celebrate Mayday!
From: CapriUni
Date: 24 Apr 02 - 03:46 PM

Jean --

I have a hunch that verse commemorates some war or 'tother... But there have been so many. To which one does that refer?

Subject: RE: Celebrate Mayday!
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 24 Apr 02 - 02:52 PM

O where are the young men who here now should dance?
For summer is icummin today...
O some they are in England & some they are in France
In the merry morning of May.

Subject: RE: Celebrate Mayday!
From: CharlieA
Date: 24 Apr 02 - 02:03 PM

wee oss

Subject: RE: Celebrate Mayday!
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 24 Apr 02 - 12:49 PM

Oss, oss!

Subject: RE: Celebrate Mayday!
From: CapriUni
Date: 24 Apr 02 - 11:35 AM

Actually, I can see how Mayday as a religious observance welcoming summer and as a social observance and celebration of work and workers probably arose together.

Simply put, Summer = Work

...If you've ever grown your own crops, or tended your own herds, you know that the start of summer is also the start of the labor intensive season. The work doesn't slow down a jot until the last sheaf is harvested, and the last cow is brought down from the mountain pastures (which is the event that was the initial motivation for the celebration of November 1).

The young men of Padstow,
They might if they would,
For summer is a-coming today,
They might have built a ship
And guilded it with gold
On this merry morning of May!

Subject: RE: Celebrate Mayday!
From: Bennet Zurofsky
Date: 24 Apr 02 - 11:14 AM

I am enjoying these postings and hope we get some more. I also hope that some of you can join us in Haledon, N.J., for our little festival on Mayday.

A couple of comments on the above: It is certainly arguable that the left co-opted the traditional pagan Mayday observed in England, but if I remember my history right, the Haymarket Massacre occured at a Mayday demonstration for the 8-hour day and the resulting desire to commemorate the Haymarket martyrs gave a lot of impetus to the observance.

Mark Ross is certainly right that Mayday is the real Labor Day. As I understand that bit of history, the originators of the September Labor Day were relatively conservative union leaders who wanted to disassociate the American Labor Movement from the Socialist International connotation of Mayday events. In other words, they wanted to separate the United States from labor around the rest of the world.

While when I was growing up in the fifties and sixties Mayday was generally associated with the militaristic (Stalinist) parades of the Soviet Empire, traditionally Mayday was more closely alligned to a broader view of Socialism than that which became Soviet-style Communism. The democratic-socialist sentiments voiced by Art Thieme are entirely in keeping with the tradition of the day, and are the ones that I personally favor.

In this regard it should be particularly noted by Mudcatters that the "Internationale," which is the song most closely associated with Mayday (and which we will be singing among others in Haledon), was composed and was popular in many countries and languages long before Mr. Lenin ever got off his train at the Finland Station.

As to the U.S. Labor Movement's current strength and militance, or lack thereof, while it is far from what it should be, I believe it is greater than is often thought. The AFL-CIO has become considerably more militant under President Sweeney's leadership and a younger generation of leaders with more militant views is taking over many international unions. The Seattle demonstrations against the WTO, which were very effective in a lot of ways, were largely built by Labor support. When it comes to the movement against Corporate Globalization, which I believe to be the most important movement today, Labor is the only ongoing institution providing ongoing support and direction, despite the media focus on the anarchists.

Of course, it is true that US Law is terrible and has been since Taft-Hartley was passed by the Republicans over Truman's veto in 1948. Human Rights Watch published an extensive study about two years ago which concluded that our labor laws amount to a Human Rights violation. We all need to work to change them, and so far labor has been unable to do so (which is another story).

In the meantime, we need to do the best we can with what we've got in the hope of having greater strength in the future. Celebrating Mayday as an International Workers Day can be helpful in this regard.

Subject: RE: Celebrate Mayday!
From: GUEST,MBS Lynne
Date: 24 Apr 02 - 04:49 AM

I go up to the top of a local hill before dawn every year to watch the Morris Men. Not sure if they will make it this year as the side is very depleted, but I will still be there and I will sing the sun up myself is there is no one else there! I always keep my kids off school, and they come too. It's a religious holiday as far as I'm concerned.

Subject: RE: Celebrate Mayday!
From: GUEST,micca at work
Date: 24 Apr 02 - 04:44 AM

For many years it has been our custom to go to Hastings for a long weekend of singing, drinking, Morris dancing, and processing through the streets on the Bank Holiday Monday with the Jack in the Green and Bogies and Giants, to participate in welcoming Summer, epitomised in the Demise of the Jack and the release of the spirit of Summer. Sadly due to recent events ,this may not happen this year, or at least ,not in its usual form..so this Mayday who knows??!!

Subject: RE: Celebrate Mayday!
From: Bert
Date: 24 Apr 02 - 03:21 AM

...May Day is still a good day to sing those old songs though ... Free beer for all the workers!!!!

Subject: RE: Celebrate Mayday!
From: paddymac
Date: 24 Apr 02 - 01:20 AM

Mayday celebrations were actually quite common in the states at an earlier time, before they became associated with communist militarism (not to suggest that they had a lock on that phenomenon). Here in Tallahassee, FL, the locals had the longest running celebration (from the 1840's to 1961) of the "May Queen" variety, when they shut it down rather than integrate it. Since then, the old "May oak" has died and attempts to revive the celebration have been unsuccessful. Personally, I like the ancient Celtic notion of a fertility rite. Go forth and act like you want to procreate (or al least practice procreation). If you're lucky, somebody might take you up on the offer. :>)

Subject: RE: Celebrate Mayday!
From: Troll
Date: 24 Apr 02 - 12:16 AM

On May Day Memsahib and I will celebrate our 20th wedding aniversary.
We ran off to Folkston, Georgia (no waiting period) and got married, then drove to Fernandina, Fla to perform at the annual Blessing of the Fleet Festival. Nine months and one week later, our son, Martin was born.
It's been an interesting 20 years. I think that we may stay together.

troll

Subject: RE: Celebrate Mayday!
From: CapriUni
Date: 23 Apr 02 - 11:39 PM

When I was in tenth grade, the art teacher decided to revive May Day... and it began in October, a highschool art class built a great big "Dragon of Winter" out of paper mache, for the little kids to climb around on during lunch.

On May Day, the whole school gathered to sing, and the high school students erected a may pole and tried to dance around it (creating wonderful tangles in the process) then the Dragon was marched into the soccer field, and the biology teacher came out of the woods behind the school, in a mask, and dressed as the green man with a quiver and bow and arrows, behind a student in a full head unicorn mask. The gathered students then began to chant "Kill the Dragon!". The teacher shot three flaming arrows into the beast, and with the third try, the dragon burst into flame, and we all cheered. When the bonfire died down, the only thing left was a green tissue paper flower that had adorned tip of the Dragon's tail... Pretty cool.

And May Day has been my favorite holliday ever since... :-)

Subject: RE: Celebrate Mayday!
From: Mark Ross
Date: 23 Apr 02 - 11:17 PM

Remeber that the 1st International WOrkers Day was an idea that came from America(it was part of the movement for the 8 hour day)! Reagan declared May 1st as Law Day,but no matter what he says May 1st is the real Labor Day.

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Celebrate Mayday!
From: Amergin
Date: 23 Apr 02 - 09:36 PM

i remember a couple of years ago there was a mayday march here in portland that got a bit rough....the next year they said if you want to cause trouble then stay away...

sad to say...I agree with art about the state of the unions...they seemed to have wimped down quite a bit....it just seems they do not know how to do it...now if all the unions in the afl-cio would strike when a local of one union would strike...that would solve alot of problems...the trouble is...Uncle Sam has some strict laws for the labour unions....