Padstow May Day Celebrations

Bluebells are at their best in the first week of May, but if you really want to see how to celebrate May Day, in the UK, without doubt head to Padstow, North Cornwall.

There are two 'Obby 'Osses, one with blue ribbons and one with red, which parade, with thousands of followers, who dress according to their allegiance, through the streets of Padstow, several times during the day and late into the evening.
Here is a short video clip of the proceedings, with the familiar May Day song

And here is the Steeleye Span version of the May Day song

The Padstow Obby Oss Song

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

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

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


Where are the young men that here now should dance,
For summer is acome unto day,
Some they are in England some they are in France,
In the merry morning of May.

Where are the maidens that here now should sing,
For summer is acome unto day,
They are in the meadows the flowers gathering,
In the merry morning of May.

O! where is St. George,
O!, where is he O,
He is out in his long boat on the salt sea O.
Up flies the kite and down tails the lark O.
Aunt Ursula Birdhood she had an old ewe
And she died in her own Park O.

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.

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