May Morningis an annual event inOxford,United Kingdom,onMay Day(1 May).
Event
editThe event starts early at 6 a.m. with theMagdalen CollegeChoirsinging a hymn, theHymnus Eucharisticus,[1]from the top ofMagdalen Tower.The choir traditionally also sings a madrigal,Now Is the Month of Maying,following prayers for the city led by the Dean of Divinity. Large crowds of both students and Oxford residents normally gather under the tower, along theHigh Street,and onMagdalen Bridge.Students and fellows of Magdalen College gather in the college cloisters and on top of the other towers within the college grounds. In 2017 the event took place during the Bank Holiday weekend, and a record 27,000 people gathered to hear Sol Samba.[2]During the 2020Coronavirus pandemicthe event was cancelled, however the choir recorded a 'Virtual May Morning', originally broadcast live.[3]
This is then followed by general revelry and festivities includingMorris dancinginRadcliffe Squarebetween theUniversity Churchand theRadcliffe Camera,impromptu music, etc., for a couple of hours from around 6.15am onwards.[4]There is a party atmosphere, despite the early hour. In fact, in some years there are all-nightballsthe night before, so some people, especially students, are in formal attire.
There is a modern tradition of students jumping from Magdalen Bridge. This occurred sporadically in the 1960s, becoming an annual event by the 1980s. However the river is sometimes shallow, which has on occasion caused serious injury, notably in 1997 when one person was left paralyzed, and 2005 when ten were hospitalised.[5]Hence the bridge was closed every May Morning 1998–2001 and 2006–2009.
In the 19th century, the young townsmen blew horns and ran riot, after the singing.[citation needed]Activities have varied over the previous centuries.Vera Brittainwrote a poem with the titleMay Morningin 1916. The first ten lines depict the actual event.[6]One fictional description of the Tudor May Morning is in "Towers in the Mist" byElizabeth Goudge.[7]Another description is found in the filmShadowlandsdirected byRichard Attenborough,on an episode in the life of the English scholar, writer and fellow of Magdalen'sC. S. Lewis,starringAnthony Hopkinsas C. S. Lewis andDebra WingerasJoy Davidman,and including footage from the 1993 May Morning celebrations.
During theCOVID-19 lockdowns,May Morning was hosted online in 2020 and 2021.[8]
After two years of lockdown, May Morning began once more in earnest in 2022. Approximately 12,500 people crowded the streets to welcome the return of the festivities.[9][10]
See also
edit- English traditions on May Day
- The Oxcentrics,a jazz band that played on May Mornings in the 1970s
References
edit- ^May MorningArchived1 January 2006 at theWayback Machine,Magdalen College, Oxford.
- ^Council, Oxford City."Thousands of people expected to attend May Morning 2019".oxford.gov.uk.Retrieved27 March2023.
- ^"Virtual May Morning".Magdalen College.Retrieved27 March2023.
- ^"May Eve & May Day".Daily Info.Retrieved27 April2017.
- ^"Jumpers' bridge closes on May Day".BBC News.Oxford, UK:BBC.8 March 2006.Retrieved1 May2013.
- ^"May Morning | First World War Poetry Digital Archive".ww1lit.nsms.ox.ac.uk.Retrieved27 March2023.
- ^Elizabeth Goudge,Towers in the Mist.
- ^"May Morning".
- ^"May Morning Oxford ~ Website celebrating May Day festivities in Oxford".May Morning Oxford.Retrieved27 March2023.
- ^"May Morning crowd number revealed as popular celebration returns".
External links
edit- Music for a May MorningCDfrom Magdalen College
- May Morning 2003from theBBC
- Morning, Magdalen TowerbyWilliam Holman Hunt(1890)