Vlogpost: The Hal-An-Tow 2022

I grew up in the Cornish town of Helston. where, every May 8th, they have an all-day festival to celebrate the return of the Summer. It's called Flora Day (I wrote about it on an early blogpost here) and, from early morning to late evening there are dances through the streets involving hundreds of local people. The midday dance is a very grand affair with posh frocks, top hats and dress suits. 

However, my favourite part of the day is the Hal-An-Tow, a musical mumming play that is performed at a number of key locations around the town. I took part in it when I was a boy and members of my family still take part today. I'm looking forward to May this year when I'll be back there again to celebrate the fact that 'Summer is a come-o and Winter is a gone-o.' 

This particular performance in 2022 was very special as Covid had prevented Flora Day from happening for two years. It's no exaggeration to say that I saw grown men with tears in their eyes for its return. Like many folk traditions, it's woven into the fabric of the town. It's an essential part of Helston's identity. And, indeed, mine.

Enjoy.

   

The song:

Robin Hood and Little John, 

They both are gone to fair, 0 

And we will to the merry green wood 

To see what they do there, 0 

And for to chase, 0 

To chase the buck and doe. 

Chorus (sung after every verse) 

Hal-An-Tow, jolly rumble, O! 

For we are up as soon as any day-O! 

And for to fetch the Summer home, 

The Summer and the May-O! 

For summer is a come-O, And Winter is a gone-O! 

Where are those Spaniards 

That make so great a boast, 0? 

For they shall eat the grey goose feather 

And we will eat the roast, 0 In every land, 0 

The land where-e’er we go. 

St Piran showed his care for us 

And all our sons and daughters, 0. 

He brought the book of Christendom 

Across the western waters, 0 

And taught the love of Heaven above 

For Cornishmen below. 

As for that good knight, 

St George St George he was a knight, 0. 

Of all the knights in Christendom 

St George he is the right, 0 

In every land, 0 

The land where-e’er we go. 

But to a greater than St George 

Our Helston has a right, 

0 St Michael with his wings outspread, 

The archangel so bright, 0 

Who fought the fiend, 0 

Of all mankind the foe. 

God bless Aunt Mary Moses 

And all her power and might, 0 

And send us peace in merry England 

Both day and night, 0. 

And send us peace in merry England 

Both now and ever more, 0.