“Good Morning, Lords & Ladies” : Calendar Customs in word & song – summary

Gill and Barry Goodman’s talk, “Good Morning, Lords and Ladies” Calendar Customs in Word and Song, delivered via Zoom on 11 April 2021, was a delightful exploration of British calendar customs, traditions, and their accompanying songs, organised by the Morris Federation. Over the course of the talk, they guided participants through a year of seasonal traditions, blending history, personal anecdotes, and live musical performances.

The Goodmans began by recounting their early involvement in the folk scene, from the 1970s folk revival to their immersion in Morris dancing and other traditions. They introduced May Day as the starting point of their calendar tour, singing traditional May Day songs and delving into the ancient Celtic and Tudor roots of the holiday. They explained the evolution of customs such as maypole dancing, noting how they shifted over time from medieval revelry to the ribbon-weaving traditions introduced by John Ruskin in the 19th century.

The talk also covered Jack in the Green, a leafy May Day figure originating from 19th-century chimney sweeps’ guilds. The Goodmans described the character’s revival in modern festivals, particularly the Rochester Sweeps Festival and Hastings Jack in the Green, both of which now attract thousands of participants and spectators.

Moving into summer, they highlighted Derbyshire’s unique tradition of well dressing. This community-led custom, rooted in ancient practices of water gratitude, involves creating intricate floral mosaics pressed into clay. The Goodmans shared memories of encountering this tradition in the Peak District and performed Sarah Matthews’ Well Dressing Song.

The seasonal journey continued with Saddleworth’s rushbearing festival, a revival of the practice of renewing church floor coverings. They narrated the spectacle of 80 dancers pulling a rushcart, accompanied by their song Dance It Away Up The Street. Transitioning to November, they delved into the fiery tar barrel-rolling tradition of Ottery St Mary, illustrating its chaotic charm through Tim Laycock’s Nine Burning Barrels.

As the year approached its end, the Goodmans described winter customs like mumming plays, particularly their own group’s hero-combat performances, complemented by Barry’s original song, All in the Wintertime. January introduced the Whittlesea Straw Bear, a festival with roots in 19th-century agricultural traditions, now a vibrant modern celebration. Barry’s song Follow the Straw Bear captured its spirit.

The talk concluded with lesser-known traditions like Norfolk’s Jack Valentine, a mysterious figure delivering Valentine’s gifts to children. They ended where they began, with May Day, highlighting their own tradition of dawn dancing at Catherine’s Cross in Ampthill, as celebrated in Barry’s song Ampthill Sunrise.

Throughout the session, the Goodmans skilfully interwove historical context with lively songs and personal insights. They underscored the enduring appeal of these traditions, their adaptability, and their capacity to bring communities together. The session was both an education in British folk customs and a heartfelt celebration of the joy they bring.