In Cornwall today in the town of Helston a large bass drum will sound at 7 AM. The drum marks the start of the Furry Dance, an ancient processional through the city. “Hal an Tow” is the song you’ll hear throughout the day as the dance winds through Helston’s streets and buildings.
It has been thus for hundreds of years each 8th of May, unless the 8th happens to fall on a Sunday or Monday, and if it does, then the procession is moved to the Saturday before. The houses and shops are decorated abundantly with flowers, for Flora Day marks the official end of winter, the welcoming of summer.
I found a fine smokey pub performance of “Hal an Tow” for you recorded in 1965 by The Watersons. You can view it here. And when you do, you can sing along if you know the main words:
Hal an Tow!
Jolly rumba low!
We were up
Long before the day-o!
To welcome in the summer,
To welcome in the May-o!
For summer is a comin’ in
And winter’s gone away-o!