Pageant
The Hal-an-Tow, which takes place on the same day, is a kind of mystery play with various historical and mythical themes. The Hal-an-Tow Pageant starts with a procession from St. John's Church. Characters include Friar Tuck, Robin Hood, St. George, and St. Michael. At several places in town they enact a battle of good vs. evil. As they walk, they sing their song to welcome the coming of summer. It contains disparaging references to the Spaniards, probably referring to the Spanish raid on Newlyn in 1595. The Helston Furry Dance is no. 135 in Palmer's Everyman's Book of English Country Songs.
The meaning of Hal-an-tow is unclear. Some have suggested "hoist the roof." Bob Hudson states, "The term “halan” means “calends,” or first of the month, and “tow” means “garland.”".
Read more about this topic: Furry Dance
Famous quotes containing the word pageant:
“The intellectual man requires a fine bait; the sots are easily amused. But everybody is drugged with his own frenzy, and the pageant marches at all hours, with music and banner and badge.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“No Life can pompless pass away—
The lowliest career
To the same Pageant wends its way
As that exalted here—”
—Emily Dickinson (1830–1886)
“What helps it now, that Byron bore,
With haughty scorn which mock’d the smart,
Through Europe to the Aetolian shore
The pageant of his bleeding heart?
That thousands counted every groan,
And Europe made his woe her own?”
—Matthew Arnold (1822–1888)