I am writing this piece a day earlier than my usual Thursday, so it will land in your inbox ready for the 1st of May.
When I was sorting through my Mum's things, I came across this little rhyme scribbled on a piece of card, which she always sang to us on the 1st of May:
I’ve come to show you my garland because it’s the 1st of May
Happy day, joyful day,
Winter has come and gone away,
The cuckoo comes in April and sings his song in May,
Cuckoo, cuckoo, cuckoo.
I remembered most of the words, but was glad of the written version to prompt me. When Mum was a little girl, every first of May she would go around her village with the other children, door to door, carrying garlands of flowers and singing this song.
Last year,
shared that she leaves a jam jar of flowers on her neighbours’ doorsteps first thing on May Day morning. I imagined those lucky neighbours opening their doors and finding their little posies, smiling with delight.In our house too, we have odd little rituals throughout the year. ‘Pinch, punch, first of the month and no returns,’ is a monthly one. Saying ‘White rabbits,’ as the first thing you utter on waking on the 1st of March (if we remember on time). And at this time of year when we are keen to shed our winter clothes at the first sign of warmer weather, only to be cruelly plunged back to coldness, we are reminded that the saying, ‘Cast not a clout until May is out,’ proves to be true.
Yet who will carry these sayings and songs on? These little things that mark the seasons or convey a shot of wisdom? I have two sons, and although they are very keen on the pinch, punch one (obviously), the others not so much, (although they will happily salute a lone magpie and ask him how his wife and children are, without batting an eyelid). But these customs and rhymes help to give a depth to our ordinary days, some colour, some meaning, a spark of fun and a connection to our ancestors who have been performing and reciting them in one form or another over hundreds of years. And as most of them are connected to the seasons and the celebration of nature, surely there is even more of a reason to celebrate them now and carefully hand them down as a reminder of what climate change will, and is depriving us of.
So, as I safely stow away Mum’s May Day song, after memorising the words for this year, I urge you to hold onto those precious rituals and rhymes handed down to you, and remember to pass them on. These are the little quirks in life that make it more interesting, a departure from the banal grind of the every day. Celebrate them all and make them a part of your family life. And spare a thought for my family as I belt out the May Day song to them (bearing in mind that I am tone deaf!).
Happy May Day!
Thank you for reading.
Jane
Do you have any quirky rituals or rhymes that are part of your family traditions?
If you enjoyed this piece I would be most grateful if you shared it. I would love for others to be aware of my little community.
This is fun, Jane! I love your rhymes and rituals. Doesn't seem as important to the younger generation, though, at least in my family. I hadn't thought about preserving them because of climate change, so I appreciate that. I'll pay attention and make more of an effort to pass them on, now. Thanks!
Happy May Day, Jane 💐