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Blessing the MNRF site

Started by groomporter, August 18, 2008, 11:52:44 AM

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groomporter

Here's an mp3 of the Morris Dancers "Blessing the Site" Saturday night. The music is a little choppy, but I caught them at the very end of their procession around the inside perimeter of the entire ring of the site, so their penny whistle player was getting tired. We think they took the long route so they would pass in front of the Legend Stage to honor Joe Kudla (Snot), so they didn't pass by our shop this time. I -think- the official name for what they are doing is connected with the "Abbots Bromley Horn Dance", but MNRF participants all refer to it as "Blessing the Site" On Sunday I asked what the name of tune was that they play but the dancer I asked couldn't remember of the top of his head.

To set the scene, by this time it was full dark, and you could just see the Morris dancers in their white costumes walking single file, each one carrying a rack of deer antlers, with a couple dozen participants following in their wake. You can hear the crickets in the background, and periodically one of the dancer rings a single bell. Whatever your religion it can be a moving/spiritual experience

http://historicgames.com/sound/blessingsite.mp3

Here's a similar performance in England on Youtube with the tune played on fiddle. Although it's on a village street you can get a feeling for what it's like on fest site.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXe0QL2t6Bk
When you die can you donate your body to pseudo-science?

Sitara

At the end of their circuit they went right by my tent.  Since I was inside and there was a lantern shining across the aisle from me, the Morris were shadows across my tent.  Made it even more eerie.
Beer wenches are the best wenches!

Muffin

I really wanted to stay and see this, but was just too tired.. Booo!!!  :-\

One of these years!!
A Captains Wench

It's always Beer:30 here....

*sigh* So many kilts, so little time......

Ette

DeadBishop

Yeah, was kinda bummed I missed this since they passed right by my booth this time.  Maybe they'll do a second blessing at the end of the run.


R/F.com member since 2003