Early one morning…

Oh you know the song “Early one morning just as the sun was rising…” Only it wasn’t – indeed the rain had just stopped falling as the Morris dancers arrived outside the west door of Norwich Cathedral to perform their music and dances at 6.30am on the 1^st May.

I started out from North Norfolk a good hour before, but by the time Kemp’s Men and the dancers of Golden Star arrived in the Cathedral Close, they had already hailed and paid homage to the traditional beginning of summer by performing at two other locations in and around the city.

I am always in awe of their ability to expend so much energy for so long at that time of day. One confided in me “we greet the sun…” sadly this year the sun still seemed to be in the shower and appeared to be on the verge of sharing it with us.

The arrival of the Dean of Norwich was greeted with much enthusiasm. Perhaps there was a feeling that if it rained too hard the he might have the key of the great west door in his pocket and allow the dancing to continue inside. In the end it wasn’t necessary- the rain abated and the show went on.

I am aware that many of the dances, music and rituals are very old. I remember from history lessons at school that at times Morris dancing was very unpopular with the authorities. (The Puritans never quite knew what was good for them)

I believe that the origins of much of the attire worn by the dancers is as much a mystery to them as it is to me – nevertheless it is fascinating and an incredibly enriching part of our folk culture.

The music and the dancing last Monday must have lasted an hour without much of a break, and I gather that there was to be a performance later in the day. My hope is that they all got breakfast.  

My thanks to the two sides for entertaining an appreciative audience and for allowing me to take photographs so freely.