Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 16, 1905.djvu/74

 COLLECTANEA,

The Padstow Hobby Horse, Etc.

[We have to thank Messrs. Williams & Son, Stationers, Market Square, Padstow, for permission to reprint the following notes, published by them as a leaflet in 1903, and also to reproduce the photographs (Plates VII., VIII., IX.), exhibited 17th November, 1904 (see p. i). The notes should be compared with Miss Courtney's Cofuish Feasts and Feasten Customs, F.-L. /., Vol. IV., p. 226.— Ed.]

Padstow May Songs. The Morning Song.

Unite and unite, and let us all unite,

For summer is acome unto day,^ And whither we are going we all will unite,

In the merry morning of May.

I warn you young men every one,

For summer is acome unto day, To go to the green-wood and fetch your May home,

In the merry morning of May.

Arise up Mr. — 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.

Arise up Mrs. — and gold be your ring,

For summer is acome unto day, And give to us a cup of ale the merrier we shall sing.

In the merry morning of May.

With the merry ring, adieu the merry spring,

For summer is acome unto day. How happy is the little bird that merrily doth sing.

In the merry morning of May.

(Repeated every four Tjerscs.)

[^ Szc in orig. Cf. "Sumer is icumen in." — Ed.]