May Morning is an annual event in Oxford, England, on May Day (1 May). It starts early at 6am with the Magdalen College Choir singing a hymn, the Hymnus Eucharisticus, from the top of Magdalen Tower, a tradition of over 500 years. Large crowds normally gather under the tower along the High Street and on Magdalen Bridge. This is then followed by general revelry and festivities including Morris dancing, impromptu music, etc., for a couple of hours. There is a party atmosphere, despite the early hour. In fact, there are normally all-night balls the night before, so some people (especially students) are in formal attire (e.g., black tie/white tie or ball gown).
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This sounds like so much fun. I would love to be in formal garden attire for May Day.
Wouldn’t that be fun??
I seem to recall a scene in the movie, Shadowlands, about C.S. Lewis, where he brings Joy to Magdalen College for the May One celebration. What a delight it would be to attend one of these celebrations.
You are correct! May Morning was in that movie, which is so good!!
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Thank you so much for this!! It really means a lot to me!!
xo Deb