Recorded in by Judith Proctor in 2012 at an anniversary event at Old Town First School in Poole, where some of the pupils I’d taught maypole were performing.
Some of the former pupils had been invited and they sang me their old maypole song. They used to sing it when doing performances outside the local gas works. I think they chose the closest payday to May 1st, but they may have done it several times a year. They used a mop or broom held by one of the boys, and ribbons made of crepe paper. It was strictly a money-making exercise. They learnt the actual dances at school.
First of May, away we go,
Gather Rosebuds, white as snow,
The Fairy Queen, on Earth is seen,
Roses red, violets blue,
I’ll no more be true to you.
I’ll be true, I’ll be true,
True to the colours of the maypole!