As Joe requested, here is The Moon Shines Bright, A May-Day Song from Hertfordshire, collecteed by Lucy E. Broadwood and J. A. Fuller Maitland, in English Country Songs. London: The Leadenhall Press, 1893. The moon shines bright, the stars give a light, A little before 'tis day. Our heavenly Father he callèd to us And bid us to wake and pray. Awake, awake, oh pretty, pretty maid, Out of your drowsy dream, And step into your dairy below And fetch me a bowl of cream: If not a bowl of your sweet cream A mug of your brown beer, For the Lord knows where we shall meet again To be maying another year. So dear, so dear Christ lovèd us And for our sins was slain, He bids us to leave off our wicked, wicked ways. And turn to the Lord again. Turn to the Lord and our sweet God. O turn to him with praise, For when we are dead and in our graves We are nothing but dust and clay. I have been rambling all this night And best part of this day. And now have returnèd back again, And have brought you a branch of may. A branch of may have I brought you And at your door it stands, It is but a sprout, but well budded out By the work of our Lord's hand. My song is done and I must be gone, No longer can I stay, So it's good bless you all, both great and small And send you a joyful May.
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