April is dead and summer is a-coming in! This episode of Folk Files explores the tradition of May songs and festivals, specifically focusing on Hal an Tow and the Flora Day celebrations in Cornwall. Morris dancing, maypoles, and the origin of May Day are also discussed. Host: Olivia Harding Special thanks to: Stephen Winick, Donna Smith, Aaron J. Morton, The Soup Musical excerpts: ARTIST: Marc Block WORK: Hal an Tow SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgBzSNOc3A8 ARTIST: Ranarim WORK: Maj vare välkommen SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7wXcJiGH-o ARTIST: The Halekulani Girls WORK: May Day is Lei Day SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3GuJp2PZPU ARTIST: The Watersons WORK: Hal an Tow SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5kyvYoiS8c ARTIST: Helston Flora Day, recorded by artcornwall.org WORK: Hal an Tow SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rftBZKbZRg ARTIST: Shirley Collins And The Albion Country Band WORK: Hal-an-Tow SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5vUj6j8hjI ARTIST: David Hansen WORK: The Helston Furry Dance SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tGk9RODnRw ARTIST: The Ashdown Forest Morris Men, recorded by Britclip WORK: May Day 2024 SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXhh8ClqDaw ARTIST: Lillian Short WORK: Robin Hood SOURCE: Vance Randolph Collection AFC 1941/001: AFS 5263 B2 (https://blogs.loc.gov/folklife/2022/05/more-about-hal-an-tow-early-evidence-of-a-may-song/) ARTIST: Roger Miller WORK: Oo-De-Lally SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsyG3-IlY3Y ARTIST: Richard Thompson WORK: Sumer Is Icumen In SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKikjYdf1DA ARTIST: Lisa Knapp WORK: Till April is Dead SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fe-WWMHQASg