May Day in Oxford
Saturday May 1, 2010
In Oxford on May Morning, many pubs are open from sunrise, and some of the college bars are open all night. Madrigals are still sung from the roof of the tower of Magdalen College, with thousands gathering on Magdalen Bridge to listen. Like last year, the bridge will be closed off due to many injured jumpers in previous years. But we're sure the revellers will gather as closely as they can, just in case there's the possibility of getting a jump in. We don't advise it here at Oxford City Guide. Why not go and listen to the music, and have fun without breaking bones? Then go have a nice breakfast somewhere, stagger home, and sleep the rest of the day. If you're lucky to have the day off, that is.
The bridge will be closed to vehicles from 4.30-7.30am and to pedestrians from 5.30-6.30am.
Morris Dancing will begin shortly after 6am in Radcliffe Square, and continue throughout the morning at various locations around the city, slowly moving north up to North Parade by midday.
The Hymnus Eucharisticus
Composed in the 17th century by a Fellow of Magdalen
At 6am on May Day, listen to the choir sing The Hymnus Eucharisticus from the Great Tower at Magdalen College on High Street. If you want to sing along, here are the lyrics:
Te Deum Patrem colimus,
Te Laudibus prosequimus,
qui corpus cibo reficis,
coelesti mentem gratia.
Te adoramus, O Jesu,
Te, Fili unigenite,
Te, qui non dedignatus es
subire clautra Virginis.
Actus in crucem, factus est
irato Deo victima
per te, Salvator unice
vitae spes nobis rediit.
Tibi, aeterne Spiritus
cuius afflatu peperit
infantem Deum Maria,
aeternum benedicimus.
Triune Deus, hominum
salutis auctor optime,
immensum hoc mysterium
orante lingua canimus.
What's there to do on May Morning?
If you get stuck on the City Centre side of the bridge:
May Morning at The Big Bang
Bloody Marys and Brilliant Bangers - new and amazing breakfast baps, the JackFM Breakfast Sausage and full Engish! Free shot of Bloody Mary with your May Day Breakfast when you quote Oxford City Guide. Serving from 6am, spaces are limited so get booking. And smile, you’re supporting local!
Official website of The Big BangMay Day Wake-Up at Modern Art Oxford
Come and celebrate the start of spring with early morning music and a delicious breakfast. Presented in association with Oxford Contemporary Music. 6. 30 am.
official Modern Art Oxford websiteSt Johns Choir
St Johns College Choir will be singing Madrigals from the tower in Front Quad, St Giles, from 7am
If you get stuck on the Cowley Road side of the bridge:
May Morning at Atomic Burger
Grab a much acclaimed American-style breakfast at this new, quirky restaurant on Cowley Road.
Other places open for early breakfast:
City Centre:
Turf Tavern, Bath Place (off Holywell), 01865 243235
King's Arms, Corner of Parks Rd and Holywell Street, 01865 242369
Quod, 92 - 94 High Street, 01865 202505
Queen's Lane Coffee House, 40 High Street, 01865 240082
The Grapes, 7 George Street, 01865 516652
Quod, 92-94 High Street, 01865 202505
Queen's Lane Coffee House, Queens Lane at High Street, 01865 240082
Mission Mexican Grill, 8 St Michae's Street and 2 King Edward Street
The Vaults & Garden Cafe, Radcliffe Square, behind St Mary's Church, 01865 279112
Grand Cafe, 84 High Street, 01865 204463
Kings Arms, Corners of Broad, Holywell, Parks Rds, 01865 242369
The White Horse, Broad Street, 01865 204801
Jericho:
G&Ds, Little Clarendon, 01865 516652
The Big Bang, 124 Walton Street, 01865 511441
G&D's Cafe, Little Clarendon Street, 01865 516652
East Oxford:
Atomic Burger, 96 Cowley Road Oxford, 01865 790855
James Street Tavern, 47-48 James Street, Oxford, 01865 202804
RJ@21, 21 Cowley Road, 01865 201120
The Corridor, Cowley Road at Princes Street, 01865 247519