May Morning

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Morris dancing on May Morning, Oxford 2004.

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).

There is a tradition of students jumping off Magdalen Bridge despite the obvious danger and potentially shallow water. In 2005, the exceptionally low water resulted around half the hundred or so jumpers requiring medical treatment resulting in the closure of the bridge in 2006.

Another May Morning tradition in Oxford is a performance from the legendary John Otway. This started at the Oranges and Lemons (now the Angel & Greyhound) on St Clement's, moving to different pubs around the city including The Gloucester Arms and The Bear (the one performance there being moved on by police on election day!) before finally returning to St Clement's at the Port Mahon.