The May Day Morris Dancers

Hopefully, something to make you smile. Enjoy!

The May Day Morris Dancers

It was May Day at Old Clomping and the annual village treat,
with mirth, fun and merriment and dancing in the street.
The Red Lion Pub was hosting the Morris men once more,
and Reverend Tubbs was judging the annual tug-of-war

Let the jollity begin!

Big Tony played the melodeon and Morris men then danced,
choreographed by Tony’s mum, leaving nothing there to chance.
With wooden clogs and clashing sticks the spectacle looked great,
the bells around each dancer’s shin gleamed there, like silver plate!

Payment!

Big Tony accepted payment in terms of endless beer,
the Morris men now jubilant, with a loud and booming cheer.
Tony played his heart out whilst ducking clanking sticks,
Sid and Michael Dolby, now adding kung-foo kicks.

Light Refreshment

The men went off for sustenance, a few jars from the keg,
but landlord Jim was wincing, it would cost an arm and leg.
Reverend Tubbs was sipping shandy in the most decorous way,
he was waiting for the tug-of –war and the ladies guild buffet.

Back to the Morris dancing

Big Tony downed his empty glass and rounded up the men,
It was time to Morris dance once more and entertain again.
After several pints they resumed their place, the music recommenced.
wielding sticks in unison the dancing style intense.

Oops!

Michael Dolby lost his grip, and his stick flew through the air,
smashing Jim’s pub window and landing on a chair.
Jim charged out with reddened face, cussing as he ran,
Big Tony tried to mediate as hostilities began.

Double Oops!

Jim slipped on a flagstone and shot up in the air,
with flailing arms and flying feet, the crowd just stood and stared.
His shoe flew off, amassing speed, like a bullet from a gun
landing unceremoniously, on the rump of Mrs Dunn.

Catastrophe!

Young Ted was up a ladder, draping bunting for May Day,
engrossed by the commotion, his ladder then did sway.
He toppled like a skittle and landed on a stall,
smashing the tombola resulting from his fall.

Oh dear

Lads rushed over from the tug-of –war, to see what had ensued,
Big Tony tried cool things down, to lighten up the mood.
Some ladies from the village guild were swooning in dismay,
the hullabaloo was just too much, on this eventful, first of May.

What happened next?

Big Tony had a bright idea, and he started to play once more
the Morris men began to dance, just like they had before.
Even the lads from the tug-of –war were jigging to the tune,
then the sun came out, and peace restored, that May Day afternoon.

What happened next?

The ladies from the village guild were serving cold buffet,
a smorgasbord of true delights, a glorious display.
Reverend Tubbs reappeared, blissfully unaware,
he’d had a snooze and nodded off, he’d missed the whole affair

What happened to the swooning ladies?

The ladies that had swooned and swayed, now revived and quite composed,
smelling salts and hot sweet tea, the drama then was closed.
Big Tony and the Morris men made peace with Jim once more,
he unbanned them from the Red Lion pub, as he opens the pub
door.

And the tug-of war?

Old Clomping won the coveted shield, a marvellous success,
they romped ahead with total ease, judged the very best.
Then to the pub to celebrate and revel with delight,
Jim, the landlord gave a grin, ‘good takings for tonight’!

ⓒ Teresa Harrison-Best
Revised May 2022