The Padstow Obby Oss

Just come back from a fortnight's holiday in the West Country. Spent May morning in Padstow, following the traditional Obby Oss through the streets of the town.










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

***

The young men of Padstow might if they would–
For summer is a-come unto day–
They might have built a ship and gilded her with gold,
In the merry morning of May.

The young women of Padstow might if they would–
For summer is a-come unto day–
They might have made a garland with the white rose and the red,
In the merry morning of May.

With a merry ring, adieu the merry spring,
For summer is a-come unto day;
How happy is the little bird that merrily doth sing,
In the merry morning of May.

***

Now fare you well and we bid you all good cheer,
For summer is a-come unto day;
We will call no more unto your house before another year,
In the merry morning of May.

from the Padstow 'Morning Song'
(version in Cornish Homes and Customs (1934) by A. K. Hamilton Jenkin)

Crossposted to wolfinthewood on Dreamwidth

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