What were May Baskets made of and what did they contain?
Apparently this part of the tradition didn’t make it into Duchesne. I didn’t even know what they were but guessed that they were simple woven baskets full of flower blossoms. Well I went to the internet and there are some pretty simple ones and of course some very elaborate ones. However they do contain one common thread and that is to fill them with flower blossoms.
The following is a poem that I found about May Baskets.
May-Baskets
by Evaleen Stein
Let us take our baskets early
To the meadows green,
While the wild-flowers still are pearly
With the dewdrops' sheen.
Fill them full of blossoms rosy,
Violets and gay
Cowslips, every pretty posy
Welcoming the May.
Then our lovely loads we'll carry
Down the village street,
On each door, with laughter merry,
Hang a basket sweet.
Hey-a-day-day! It is spring now, Lazy folks, awake! See the pretty things we bring now For the May-day's sake!
