Are the pagan Lily White Boys still around….?

I thought that the Lily White Boys (as mentioned in the lyrics of the 12th-century song Green Grow the Rushes O) were a reference to Christ and St John the Baptist. Well, that was what I was told.

But then in John Gardner’s book The Life and Times of Chaucer I came upon a reference to “the white-faced lily-white boy, a terrifying pagan remnant”. Hmm…so the Christian slant was an attempt to cover up pagan activities? After all, that’s what happened to a number of pre-Christian festivals.

Of course, Green Grow the Rushes O is mysterious all through, and the Lily White Boys are “dressed up all in green”. You can hear it  here. Oh dear, I’m old enough to remember this Spinners’ hit.

Now I’ve happened upon this link, which claims the Lily White Boys were/are a cult that probably predates Christianity. The night upon which to see them is that of the Blood Moon, which istonight, 26 October, this year. You can read about blood moons here. This article actually refers to 2022, but blood moons are blood moons.

All I know is, with Hallowtide looming large, I’d hate to venture out under a blood moon and happen upon one of these sinister gatherings. After all, who’s to say the white-faced Lily White Boys aren’t still around….?