“Gathering Nuts in May”
Description
"Here we go gathering nuts in May, nuts in May, nuts in May, Here we go gathering... On a bright and pretty day." "Who will you have for your nuts in May?" "We'll have (a boy) for the nuts in May." A girl will "pull him across." Repeat for each player
Notes
Linscott explains, "This is certainly a dance survival from the May Day destivals of olden days.... The words are a corruption from 'knots of may,' the game is of English origin, and the tune a variant of the country dance melody 'Nancy Dawson.'" - RBW
Cross references
- cf. "Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush" (tune)
Recordings
- Tony Wales, "Four Children's Singing Games (Nuts in May)" (on TWales1)
References
- Randolph 561, "Gathering Nuts in May" (2 texts, 1 tune, although the second, fragmentary, text may be unrelated)
- Linscott, pp. 16-18, "Here We Go Gathering Nuts in May" (1 text, 1 tune)
- DT, NUTSMAY
- Roud #6308
- BI, R561