So sorry for the long delay in posts! At this time of year, we dance the May Pole, while singing this song:
What shall he have that kills the deer?
His leather skin and horns to wear.
Your father’s father wore it,
and your father wore it too.
Hal an tow, jolly rumble-O,
we were up long before the day-O
to welcome in the summer, to welcome in the May-O,
for summer is a-coming in, and winter’s gone away-O!
Do not scorn to wear the horn:
it was the crest ere you were born.
Your father’s father wore it,
and your father wore it too.
What shall she have that tills the field?
The greenest gown the grass shall yield.
Your mother’s mother wore it,
and your mother wore it too.
Do not frown to gain the gown,
for thus it was that you came round.
Your mother’s mother wore it,
and your mother wore it too.
Robin Hood and Little John,
they’ve both gone to the fair-O,
and we’re away to the good greenwood
to hunt the buck and hare-O.
Whither went maid Marion,
a-clothed all in green-O?
She’s away to the good greenwood,
where merry men are keen-O.
[What happened to the Spaniards
that made so great a boast-O?
They shall eat the feathered goose,
and we shall eat the roast-O!]
We bless the people here today
with power and with might-O,
and peace be to Paganistan
by day and by night-O.
Those are the verses that we know;
the rest are on the shelf-O.
So if you want more Hal An Tow,
you’ll have to sing it yourself-O.
We also jump the fire:
We also went to Paganistan (Minneapolis) to attend the Heart of the Beast MayDay Parade, and a beautiful Rite of the Stang, created by master ritualist Steve Posch. The Red and Horned God was embodied by none other than our own Rowan:
Witch Mama 