We're living in exciting times! I danced out for the first time since lockdown #1 2020 at a very special socially distanced ‘Crying the Neck’ ceremony in Rillaton, Cornwall for Goldheys (Harvest Home) back in September. It was fabulous to see familiar faces after such a long lock-in, and to sing a few songs together and enjoy a sweet selection of tunes on such a glorious day.
'Crying the Neck' is an ancient tradition that celebrates the cutting of the last sheaf of the harvest. The Harvest King, the local farmer, goes to the field with the gleaners and taking a stone from the ground sharpens the scythe. As he does this a jug of ale is passed around and everyone there takes a sip to ensure they will never be thirsty in the coming year. This continues while the farmer cuts the last sheaf of the harvest with the scythe which is then tied and garlanded with a red ribbon.
the neck is held aloft as the farmer cries to the east, west and south, 'I 'ave un! I 'ave un! I 'ave un!'
the gleaners cry back, 'What 'ave ee? What 'ave ee? What ave ee?'
and the farmer responds, 'The Neck! The Neck! The Neck!'.
By this time the ale has done the round and the last drops are poured in to the ground. One more song and the gleaners go and glean their own corn to take home. The Neck is taken back to the farm where it is traditionally ploughed back into the earth to ensure a continued good harvest.
This custom was around in 1599 as the plasterwork on the ceiling of East Rillaton Cottage is of a Neck of Corn garlanded for harvest. Traditionally everyone gathers back at the cottage, bringing something for a Bring and Share Harvest Supper, celebrating the harvest safely home with songs, stories and music in to the early hours of the morning...
This year, Matt was still baling hay in the field we were in. Matt's grandfather, farmer Chris Daniel told me how he used to work the fields when he was young without such mahoosive machinery. You can see for miles across the moors and down into Devon, with the engine houses dotting the skyline.
Steve Hunt and Mike O'Connor played the traditional Cornish tune, ‘Cock In Britches’ as I stepped out purposefully on the freshly cut hay after the neck had been cried.
We celebrated with our own food and drinks, and shared the AMAZING honey cake made by Kathy Wallis from the local honey as 'dole'.
Harvest is safely Home and the Neck is back at the farm in the rafters until it is ploughed back into the earth.
Huge thanks to Gorsedh Kernow Bard, Kathy Wallis, Gwithyades Hengovyow - Keeper of Traditions for organising such a wonderful socially distanced event.
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