Just two minutes of May Day madness from Beltane Border Morris who celebrate the pagan roots of the day. It was the best video I could find on YouTube and really captures the spirit of the dancers.
For those who like a little more culture here's a string quartet with a difference. Methera (the name just means "four" in the ancient counting system used by shepherds - "yan, tan, tethera, methera, pip") play mostly old tunes from Britain and beyond, but arranged for string quartet. This is a very English hornpipe in 3/2 time called "The Rising Sun", which comes from a tunebook published in the early eighteenth century.
Take care.
I love the Morris dancers in video #1! Great idea to photograph them against the light. We had Morris dancers in a town I live in and they turned out for all kinds of occasions. Delightful sounds coming from the string quartet as well. Thanks John, and Happy May Day to you.
ReplyDeleteThe Morris dancers are great!
ReplyDeleteI do like the idea of a solitary jig at dawn. Thank you for the charming image which has found its way into my head.
ReplyDeleteI love the Morris dancers dancing in the rising sun. So lovely.
ReplyDeleteYour lunch sounds delicious and the weather a bit wet. We had a warm blue sky day here and bagels with various yummy spreads for lunch.
I have always liked Morris Dancing. Enjoyed the other clip as well.
ReplyDeleteThe first video is interesting, and something Roger would like....and I really enjoyed the music of the second one.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I enjoyed the exhuberance of both performances:)
ReplyDeleteI like all of Your post including what you eat :)))
ReplyDeleteThe videos are very Nice!
Thanx for Nice saturday letter!
Happy weekend to you :))
Hi John - delightful videos ... especially the Beltane Morris Dancers, but then with your classical Methera string quartet - that was delightful. Fascinating about the counting aspects of Yan Tan Tethera - so interesting to read about ... thank you - enjoy May day around your home area ... stay safe - Hilary
ReplyDeleteSuch fun. Thank you for sharing. They both brought a smile this morning.
ReplyDeleteI missed being up with sun on May Day - but I'm enjoying your choice of music and the Morris dancers this morning John. Hoping May will soon bring better days for all. . . . . . and we can dance together in the streets!
ReplyDeleteVery nice, thanks for sharing. Hope your enjoyed your lunch. :)
ReplyDeleteLoved both!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the Beltane Morris dancers video. Some of the old customs were very interesting. Stay safe and enjoy your day, hugs, Edna B.
ReplyDeleteMy brother Tom was out with some of his group of Morris dancers to greet the dawn here in WV. They had to adjust their routine, of course. It does get difficult to find things to write about as we all are staying close to the homefires.
ReplyDeleteI love watching the Morris dancers and enjoyed the music, too.
ReplyDeleteMy first word on May 1 was "Rabbits" ... yes. I do this every month. And I did a little jig getting out of bed.
ReplyDeleteAnd today, the 4th, is Star Wars Day.... so May the Fourth be with you!
The Morris dancing was fabulous John, loved the exuberance of the dancers at that ear!y time of the day 😊
ReplyDeleteThere were no celebrations here for either May 1 or May 5 popularly celebrated as Cinco de Mayo especially in area drinking establishments. Enjoyed the Morris dancing.
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