Maypole Dance - The School in Rose Valley (SRV)

SRV students have been dancing the Maypole at the school's annual May Fair since 1929, and they've been dancing it more or less in its current form since the early 1970s, when Nancy Ewald re-choreographed the dance to Ralph Vaughan Williams's "Seventeen Come Sunday", the first movement of his English Folk Song Suite.
SRV alumni often report still getting goosebumps or lumps in their throats watching the dance decades after they performed it themselves. The Maypole Dance draws former students back to the May Fair year after year to remember their roots. It's a tradition binding generations of students in celebration of their community.
This video was recorded by Linda Goss in 2015. Heidi Hammel provided the history.
00:00 The dancers enter
00:56 Gathering of the ribbons
03:01 Basketweave finale

[@cookie1225uk]

Thats the kind of thing I remember. Holding the ribbon, weaving in and out of other kids, dancing to music I'd never heard of before. Happy times

[@not_gamerjelllYT]

In 3rd grade we did that for culture day we were mayan

[@BiblicallyAccurateToaster]

We would do it in elementary school back in the late 80s. It's funny, at the time I remember thinking it was sorta neat cause I liked how the weave looked but overall I was more annoyed that I had to do it. Now looking back I realize how fun it really was, how much I miss doing things like that & the importance of passing down traditions lol

[@crptnite]

Indeed 😊👍🏽

[@chrislittle3475]

I think Vaughan Williams himself would adore this beyond any concert performance of his work. Truly wonderful.

[@Windstar53WA]

Love the choreography here, seeing how you can "do" and then "undo" different things, how you can perform so many different dance moves while holding the ribbon besides just the "braiding" which starts at 3:00.... I was born in '53 and my California elementary school also had a May Day celebration with multiple maypole dances going on at once. A very happy memory...spring was here, summer vacation close at hand and the world seemed a good place.

[@molerat3461]

My primary school were doing this in the early 90s! I hope the tradition long continues!

[@jerryholston6536]

Excellent performance a lot more of that is needed in today's society

[@Marcybamboo]

I've to teach a maypole dance (my first time!) this year, and THIS is INSPIRATIONAL!!!! I actually teared up watching them!

[@BiblicallyAccurateToaster]

I hope it went well. Thank you for keeping this tradition alive

[@denisejones6251]

This brings back wonderful memories. As a child growing up in San Diego, we enjoyed dancing the "Maypole Dance" each year. My best friend Artemis and I would leave small flower bouquets on our neighbors doorsteps, ring the bell, and run away... I'm so grateful for such cherished memories... Love you Artemis!

[@SirenaSpades]

Mayday baskets :)

[@christygum3384]

A simply enchanting celebration of the old ways ! Magic, sheer magic in the revelry of joyous spring !🧚‍♀️🧚‍♂️🧚🏻💫✨

[@pamlamar1253]

The music so appropriate! Ralph Vaughn Williams March Seventeen Come Sunday! Loved this!

[@BiblicallyAccurateToaster]

It was an excellent choice, I agree

[@davidbspamboy]

These kids are great. No way could my school buddies have handled this. We would have wrapped up and on the ground. Nice work!

[@amandabennett3898]

That would of added to the funny memories all the class falling over each other and messing about 🤣

[@kayleestubley6503]

God I remember doing this it was so exciting getting to perform I wish more schools did this

[@nickryan3417]

I remember having to do this, although I can't quite remember what appalling costumes we were made to wear. The end aim seemed to be a neat pattern of the ribbons and not too many children tied to the pole :)

[@margueritemazzeo2904]

We did this in 2nd grade in elementary school...dancing around the Maypole..with ribbons of crepe paper is pastel shades of pink..blue..green and lilac...I felt it was really a special moment in my life..was so much fun too..🤗💕💯💐

[@floyd101954]

So nice to see this is still being done. We did it in my 6th grade class in 1966.

[@christinec.2372]

1975 for me!

[@daweshorizon]

This is joyous! Well done to the dancers and teachers, a lot of hard work has gone into this. A wonderful May tradition that need to keep going. Love it!

[@bonboomori]

This is beautiful! I wish things like this were in my childhood, but it still brings me a smile to see them now and know they were in others.

[@jackiejones1607]

What a wonderful way to welcome the month of May.

[@elizabethabbott9177]

We did this at Old Buckenham Primary in the 1970s. Every Wednesday we had country dancing with Mrs. Whitehand at the piano. Loved it!❤

[@russellregan4736]

I had a grade school teacher in Pgh @ Phillip Murray Elementary who taught us a song when we did this every May 1st. I'm 65 & still remember the song!!

[@YvonneEmmert-yp8hm]

Watching this on Mother's Day!!! Beautiful!! 🌈🌦️🍰💐🌷🏵️🌺 ❤️🧡💛💙💙💜🧡

[@lydiamarcassanettlescrabtr859]

BRAVO BRAVO BRAVO!!! As a pagan who does this EVERY year! BRAVO!!!!

[@raedawn2359]

Yes we had the Maypole dance every May to bring in Spring and celebrate the newness of the rebrith of life.These are great dancers thank you for sharing

[@user-ww2pg4my3z]

I am 80 years old. We did Maypole dancing in 5th and 6th grade at Mission Beach Elementary school 1955.

[@lendaly294]

Remember doing this as a Bairn in the Sixties,Lovely if it is being carried on.So many of the joys of life are disappearing.

[@christopherrobinkarlsson7099]

That's amazing!!! Looks so much fun. What a good teacher they must have.

[@susanbarnett7202]

I remember doing Maypole Dance in 6th grade at Flint Hill Elementary School in Vienna, VA in 1971. Mom was upset with me when I volunteered her to iron all of the sashes. This is when I learned to iron. . . .

[@CowboyJojosAdventures]

Beautiful choreographed 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼🥰🥰🥰

[@rogergibson8600]

We did this in grade school 75 yrs ago

[@franksilbert8589]

Watched this video from six years ago to day (2022) n it was awesome. Happy May Day Everyone. 🇺🇲

[@saram4271]

What amazing and beautiful dancing. What talent the youngsters have shown us.

[@dougV565]

I remember doing this in school in the late 50's

[@SOS-ct9mv]

I had to do this when I was a kid, I wish schools still did this dance.

[@marilynnhollis7170]

Did this in Elementary school in Louisville, Ky in '69. One of my happiest childhood memories!

[@fornariunicamp]

great video! thanks for sharing

[@TotallyNotLoki]

I remember both dancing and playing for the dance at my school. I still remember some of this old tunes and dances, but I really wish I remembered more.

[@racheljordan8045]

This brought back a flood of memories. 💕 I was too young to be a dancer, but I did get to wear beautiful wildflowers in my hair. Then we moved away.

[@Sparkey]

A lovely tradition:)

[@christinec.2372]

We did this in the first grade...(H.V. Bear elementary, Miamisburg, Ohio) our teacher played the piano as we danced around the maypole, each of us grabbing a pastel colored long ribbon, until they all wound tight with no more to hold onto our little hands. We all felt so happy & joyous. Our teacher (who looked exactly like a young karen carpenter...) smiled so much and looked at us as we danced. Fond memory. Great video. Later in life, my friend who was a Pagan, I was raised Lutheran - I was afraid due to my up bringing about even talking about Paganism ect..My friend went "Oooooh. you know you participated in a Pagan tradition, right"? she's right. And many more holidays the Christians took from the Pagans. Wild.

[@soupman5836]

I loved learning this routine when we performed it :)

[@angelaw886]

This looks really fun!

[@shesmyonlybaby]

Its been years since I have danced the maypole. Thanks for the memories

[@garbagrace6350]

So much Powerful ❤🎉

[@PureAlto]

Awesome!

[@nedvedmccoy1074]

Wow it's my first time knowing this type of dance

[@lajana14]

wow...i have to do this for school. IN SPAIN

[@Nora_Yvelle_313]

Beautiful art

[@joan9569]

Always wondered what Maypole dancing was; celebrate the coming of May. Great vid! Love it!

[@andrewbrammer5119]

Wonderful way to celebrate Beltane, they did a great job too.

[@artisticbeings9624]

That was so beautiful!!

[@kenpofemme1]

THANK YOU! I was not able to make the 1000 mile journey to the Fair but it was lovely to see the Maypole Dance!

[@pintrest-xi8ig]

We did a very different skip with a little hop and I can still do it after all these years!!!! Our weaving the ribbon was done and the we skipped in reverse to undo it and all to a different tune. Will never forget those happy days !

[@allys744]

We used to do this in middle school during the earth day celebration, good times! It wasn’t as elaborate/complex as this, but we would skip and dance around the pole for the bit in our way out, assume our ribbons and start the loop de loop around the pole based according to the color. We had four colors: pink, purple, yellow and blue for spring.

[@marylinesh9203]

I love this

[@Bumblebone]

I loved this! Thanks so much!

[@healinggardens-terribowlby3129]

Well done!! Makes me happy to see this!

[@wrlSivan16]

Wonderful choice of music and balance of dance. Who ever coordinated it did an amazing job.

[@dianam4923]

amazing dance! loved it!

[@rebekahl840]

Did this as a dance for a show few years ago, in my ballet class... took a while to learn

[@laurenb6451]

Well done.

[@Auroxo7]

Wow... it is beautiful!

[@michelebayko9748]

So enjoying this - our theater group is using it as a tutorial! Captains of Orange Street beware!! Thank you for sharing!!

[@primus7776]

Beautiful Indeed.

[@liamargolis8837]

great job guys!!!! :)

[@josephineadamo178]

We did this in elementary school but the year we finally got to dance I was a Princess of the court.

[@77fiancee]

Marvillous!

[@cafenightster4548]

May The Force Be With Thee.

[@Albert-Mag...]

Back in the 50's the North end of Vancouver Island in Camp Woss they a really big Mayday celebration. There was a May Queen, Maypole was a big hit It was a logging camp so there was a big logging show with the usual competitions axe cutting and throwing Chainsaw cutting There was a large outdoor pool and they had log riding competitions where the loggers wore corked boots and 2 on a log rolling it back and forth till one fell off... They had the race up and down the massively huge Spar tree up to the top with climbing spurs ring the bell then legs just a flyin everywhere ...that was incredible ...yeah I loved the 50's I'd go back in a heartbeat ...lol...

[@SirenaSpades]

I remember this :)

[@sewind6613]

Fabulous is all respects.

[@alisonnorcross951]

What happened to this tradition. We were doing this in 1962 but I think they stopped a few years later. It is a beautiful tradition. As I recall they changed May day to Labour day. Tut tut

[@chrislittle3475]

It didn't change. They run along side. International Labour day began in 1890. We can celebrate both proudly.

[@seekingabsolution1907]

It's been connected to workers struggles for centuries. Mayday is a time of rebirth. Of cultural inversion, of shifting roles, of the ladies pursuing their boy loves, and the merriment and feasting of the common people who usually eat modestly, of abundance and sharing, and the world turned upside down. It is this reason why workers organise on that day.

[@manaalnoorani8319]

awesome

[@SafetyMentalst]

"Maypole" All the April showers have gone away Finally in the month of May kids play Around a Maypole first day of May They dance with joy together all day Around an round a Maypole in May

[@maryterry4732]

Wow good job

[@IainJarvis-tz7un]

Very interesting to see American students doing this. I teach in Social Studies in Texas, but come from Norwich, England. Just searching something to show my 6th graders on May 1st.

[@ianegfp]

Oh, Norwich! I graduated from UEA. I miss the lakes, the swans, the castle, and watching the sunset from the top floor of the library. How magical it was to sleep in the ziggurat and open the curtains in the morning to see what the lake looked like outside of those huge windows. Good luck in Texas!

[@bessie0899]

Wish the US did this, definitely gonna teach my son about this!

[@darkangel5180]

We did it in school in the 1980s and 90s

[@ElliesChaoticWorld]

Omg we did this in school growing up. Tortola, BVI ❤️‍🔥

[@TYP1970]

My mom use to say something about the May pole dance. She was 86 years old last year. Interesting 🤔

[@RyonMugen]

Man that was highly satisfying.

[@mastersonogashira1796]

Yo this music! English folk dance, was it chapter 2? Love it

[@luoduwz9789]

It's very nice

[@christophermarshall5765]

Memories of a bygone era. Fun time that was, unless you mucked up!!

[@ianegfp]

I think the pagans were smart to apply all the energy of such a potent day to dancing, celebration. and making wishes for the new season. Throughout the years I have been surprised to observe how many people are absent from work due to personal emergencies and the elevated level of police activity which occurs on Beltane. Unlike the solstices and equinoxes, it isn't really anticipated or marked out on the calendars. So it usually isn't until I say, 'What IS going on today?' and look at the calendar that I realize it is May 1.

[@bet_jev8711]

I did this in primary, it was fun for a bit but my friends and I would always try to get out of it. It was all girls one boy. Fun fun fun.

[@SajjadHussain-jd9wc]

We are having the same dance at school

[@Ilypurple13]

We had to do that

[@katiebooandmum4062]

I am doing it this year

[@danamoore6016]

Teaching this routine to my 3rd grade class. How long do the ribbons need to be in comparison to the pole? Did you use ribbon or yards of fabric? Thanks!

[@GabeSmall]

Hi Dana, I uploaded this as an alum, and I don't have any current direct involvement with the school, so I don't have that answer for you, but here's SRV's contact page: www.theschoolinrosevalley.org/contact/ Good luck!

[@wrlSivan16]

Did you find out how long the fabric needs to be?

[@arcangeloflagiello9586]

Wow👍

[@maureenwalthers2810]

Went to P.S.104 in Manhattan. They would march us up to Central Park on May 1 to do the Maypole Dance. The whole of the park was filled with children from all the public schools in New York City participating in this event. Wonder if it's still done?

[@shohel23]

We did this in school

[@GIANFRY-_-]

stupendo

[@crptnite]

💜🙏🏽🕊️

[@lindaquintero1175]

What kind of Ribbons are on the pole? Making one this year and struggling to find this information. Thank you.

[@noorsamen6698]

I came into this video from Jonathan Haidt’s book The Righteous Mind , mentioning maypole as a metaphor for the work of religion and God in society, and I find it amazingly lovely and true.

[@hockeymaster2478]

cool

[@Jaris84R]

In the woods there grew a tree And a fine fine tree was he

[@marylinesh9203]

It is good. Anyway how did the learn this dance?

[@bjarnyg]

what time of year is the maypole dance?

[@BiblicallyAccurateToaster]

Usually May Day is celebrated on May 1st. If you want to be even more accurate it lands directly between the spring equinox & summer solstice.

[@Kynarion1]

What is the name of the piece that you used?

[@GabeSmall]

It's Ralph Vaughan Williams's "Seventeen Come Sunday", the first movement of his English Folk Song Suite.

[@sampeacaml9307]

Where can I join in? I MUST KNOW! ;-)

[@the.youtube.of.sam.gotter]

O hie thee forth o'er golden mead Yon is the maypole set Aribbon to wind thy soul And to bind love to thy breast! From flesh removed our chalk footfall Tempers this holy ground Where timeless spirits meet Round the heart of Pottsfield Town! Happy Harvest!