May Day: It’s unique, convivial and quintessentially Oxford. Only once a year does the city come together like it, and when that happens, it’s not one to miss out on. So, what can you expect to see on the day? When will it all be happening? And, most importantly (in my unbiased opinion), what is the role that music has to play in the history behind the traditions?
Officially, the day kicks off on 1st May at 6am with the annual performance of Magdalen College Choir. From Long Wall Street to the Plain Roundabout, crowds gather all along High Street and Magdalen Bridge in their thousands. Given the popularity of the spectacle though, many arrive earlier at Magdalen Tower to enjoy a closer view. So, make sure to get there in plenty of time if you want a good spot!
One might wonder why the early start: May Day celebrates the arrival of summer, and so welcoming in the sunrise has always been a central part of the celebration. For many students at the University of Oxford and Oxford Brookes University however, the festivities begin even earlier. Nowadays, pulling an all-nighter seems a more appealing option than crawling out of bed in the early hours of the morning. Don’t be surprised to see some even in formal attire, as all-night balls don’t go unheard of.
After all the build-up, the Hymnus Eucharisticus, sung by Magdalen College Choir, marks the beginning of May Day. Music’s role does not diminish from there – the choir follows up with a cycle of songs, including the Renaissance-derived ballet, Now is the Month of Maying, a sort of traditional madrigal. First sung in 1595, and featuring a good-old ‘fa la la la la’, it never fails to be an uplifting start to the ceremony. From ‘merry lads’ to ‘barley break’, the lyrics send us back to past times while reminding us of the exciting summer ahead.
After their ten-minute show, the bells of the Great Tower ring for another twenty minutes. Meanwhile, some head to Radcliffe Square while others, mostly students, make for Magdalen Bridge, where jumping into the river has become tradition. This happens despite accidents in recent decades. For example, in 2005 at least ten people ignored warnings from police about low water levels. They were soon rushed to hospital after attempting the plunge. Nevertheless, if safe, it can be a highlight of the day for those who take part.
If adrenaline rushes aren’t your thing, there’s still plenty to enjoy around the Radcliffe Camera. The entertainment that steals the show is Morris Dancing. Since the first documented time the city celebrated the festival 500 years ago, it has always been a fan-favourite. With folk music reverberating around the square, the Morris Men of Oxford swing their handkerchiefs and jingle their bells as they execute their time-old choreography. If to be believed, the Morris Men are said to bring magic power to wherever they dance. When Radcliffe Square is as busy and bustling as it is on May Day, it is hard to deny there’s something magical in the air.
As the procession moves up to the city centre, the bagpipes, squeezeboxes and fiddles of the all-in-green Whirly Band can be heard outside Clarendon Building. They never fail to bring the spirit of summer to the city as their viridescent suits symbolise a new leaf. It’s their one gig of the year, and their folk songs dating back to the 13th century like Miri It Is are not one to pass up.
Besides this, general revelry and Highland dancing outside All Souls College are some of the events to enjoy. Be sure to keep a look out as well for the Jack-in-the-Green bush – someone dressed up in what looks like a Christmas tree – which also makes its way round the city centre. The phenomenon originates from a milkmaid tradition of carrying flower-decorated milk pails, supposed to show the beauty of spring. Perhaps slightly detached from its previous meaning, the Oxford Jack is now a central part of the procession. With 14,000 people behind him, Jack plays follow-the-leader up the High Street.
May Day is full of peculiarities and eccentricities, all of which put the day high on everyone’s agenda. Music is a key part of this, with the mix of Latin lyrics and folk melodies characterising the day’s unique origins. But it is the camaraderie and togetherness of May Day that make it so special for the city. So, be sure to get up early and not miss out on what is truly an unforgettable day of music and memories.
