Hal-An-Tow (May Traditional)

This May Day song, still sung in Helston, Cornwall, is a fragmented remnant of a festival that spanned all of Europe before Christianity arrived and spoiled the fun.

This website has some great information on pre-Christian practices in Europe.
http://piereligion.org/mayday2.html#f...

I was inspired by this version and fantastic live recording by the Watersons:
   • The Watersons "Hal-An-Tow"  

I have messed a bit with the verses, including the ones that appear in Shakespeare's play, As You Like It .

Mainly Norfolk summary of the song here:
https://mainlynorfolk.info/watersons/...

All photos either my own, or from wikimedia.org, paintings include:
Raising the Maypole - Fredrick Goodall
Maypole - Pieter Bruegel

My blog post for this song:
http://www.folklounge.org/2017/05/the...

Purchase my music:
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