APRIL.

ST. MARK'S EVE.

Take three tufts of grass plucked from a Churchyard, place them under
your pillow and repeat aloud:--

Let me know my fate, whether weal or woe
Whether my rank's to be high or low,
Whether to live single or be a bride,
And the destiny my star doth provide.

If this is done one dreams of the future.

When April blows his horn
'Tis good for hay and corn.

April showers make May flowers.

26th April was called Break Day. The Fen Commons were broke or opened
by turning in stock.

MAY.

The May Day Garlands are of various forms. Those in Peterborough are
formed of two hoops fastened together to form a globe and a stick or
stave through the centre. The hoops are decorated with flowers and
ribbons, and when the children possess one, the best doll is fixed on
the stick inside the garland. Two girls carry the garland which is
carefully covered with a white cloth. This is lifted at the houses and
the wondrous garland is exposed whilst the children sing the following
song, which is the favourite May Day song in the City. A friend has
kindly given me the music and words which she wrote on the 1st May,
1904: from the children's performance:

[Illustration: Music]

I.

Good morrow, Lords and Ladies
It is the first of May,
We hope you'll view our garlands,
They are so bright and gay.

Chorus--To the green woods we will go,
To the green woods we will go,
To the green woods we will go,
To the green woods we will go.

II.

This bunch of May it looks so gay,
Before your door it stands;
It is but a sprout, but it's well spread out
By the work of our Lord's hands.

Chorus--To the green woods, etc.

III.

The Cuckoo sings in April,
The Cuckoo sings in May,
The Cuckoo sings in June;
In July she flies away.

Chorus--To the green woods, etc.

IV.

I'm very glad the Spring has come,
The sun shines out so bright;
The little birds upon the trees
Are singing for delight.

Chorus--To the green woods, etc.

V.

The roads are very dusty,
Our shoes are very thin;
We have a little money box
To put our money in.

Chorus--To the green woods, etc.

The Garlands are carried round on 1st May and on Old May Day.

The Huntingdonshire Garlands are usually of a pryamidical form of
flowers