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Friday 1 May 2020

The First Of May

Nothing much to post about here, unless you want to know what I had for lunch (vegetable cobbler) or what the weather is like (showery, with a bit of thunder and hail thrown in). This must be the first May Day in centuries that the Morris men have not been up to welcome the dawn, though I wouldn't mind betting that someone was out doing a solo jig when the sun came up at 05:29 this morning.

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.
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19 comments:

  1. Tara1 May 2020 at 20:50

    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.

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  2. RedPat1 May 2020 at 21:12

    The Morris dancers are great!

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  3. Elephant's Child1 May 2020 at 21:26

    I do like the idea of a solitary jig at dawn. Thank you for the charming image which has found its way into my head.

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  4. Anonymous2 May 2020 at 00:11

    I love the Morris dancers dancing in the rising sun. So lovely.
    Your 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.

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  5. Susan Heather2 May 2020 at 01:24

    I have always liked Morris Dancing. Enjoyed the other clip as well.

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  6. Rose2 May 2020 at 03:44

    The first video is interesting, and something Roger would like....and I really enjoyed the music of the second one.

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  7. Rosie2 May 2020 at 08:49

    Thank you. I enjoyed the exhuberance of both performances:)

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  8. Anita2 May 2020 at 11:18

    I like all of Your post including what you eat :)))

    The videos are very Nice!

    Thanx for Nice saturday letter!

    Happy weekend to you :))

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  9. Hilary Melton-Butcher2 May 2020 at 12:23

    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

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  10. Marie Smith2 May 2020 at 13:41

    Such fun. Thank you for sharing. They both brought a smile this morning.

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  11. Mary2 May 2020 at 14:44

    I 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!

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  12. Bill2 May 2020 at 17:01

    Very nice, thanks for sharing. Hope your enjoyed your lunch. :)

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  13. it's me2 May 2020 at 18:51

    Loved both!

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  14. Edna B3 May 2020 at 16:55

    I enjoyed the Beltane Morris dancers video. Some of the old customs were very interesting. Stay safe and enjoy your day, hugs, Edna B.

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  15. Granny Sue3 May 2020 at 20:27

    My 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.

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  16. Cynthia3 May 2020 at 20:31

    I love watching the Morris dancers and enjoyed the music, too.

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  17. Shammickite4 May 2020 at 13:51

    My first word on May 1 was "Rabbits" ... yes. I do this every month. And I did a little jig getting out of bed.
    And today, the 4th, is Star Wars Day.... so May the Fourth be with you!

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  18. PerthDailyPhoto5 May 2020 at 15:47

    The Morris dancing was fabulous John, loved the exuberance of the dancers at that ear!y time of the day 😊

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  19. Beatrice P. Boyd7 May 2020 at 00:26

    There 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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Thanks for taking the time to comment. I'll try to answer any questions via a comment or e-mail within the next day or two (no hard questions, please!).