The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #30126   Message #3768449
Posted By: Joe Offer
27-Jan-16 - 02:50 AM
Thread Name: Origins: Swinton May Songs #'s 1 and 2
Subject: RE: Help: Swinton May Songs #'s 1 and 2
Hi, Adelia - I wonder if this would help:
The Book of Days.

-Joe Offer-
(email sent)





OLD MAY SONG

All in this pleasant evening, together comers [? come are] we,
   For the Summer springs so fresh, green, and gay;
We shall not sing you May again until another year,
   For to draw you these cold winters away.
We'll tell you of a blossom and buds on every tree,
   Drawing near to the merry month of May.
Rise up, the master of this house, put on your chain of gold,
   For the Summer springs so fresh, green, and gay;
We hope you're not offended, [with] your house we make so bold,
   Drawing near to the merry month of May.
Rise up, the mistress of this house, with gold along your breast.
   For the Summer springs so fresh, green, and gay;
And if your body be asleep, we hope your soul's at rest,
   Drawing near to the merry month of May.
Rise up, the children of this house, all in your rich attire,
   For the Summer springs so fresh, green, and gay;
For every hair upon your head[s] shines like the silver wire,
   Drawing near to the merry month of May.
God bless this house and harbour, your riches and your store,
   For the Summer springs so fresh, green, and gay;
We hope the Lord will prosper you, both now and evermore,
   Drawing near to the merry month of May.
So now we're going to leave you, in peace and plenty here,
   For the Summer springs so fresh, green, and gay;

NEW MAY SONG

Come listen awhile unto what we shall say,
   Concerning the season, the month we call May;
For the flowers they are springing, and the birds they do sing,
   And the baziers are sweet in the morning of May.
When the trees are in bloom, and the meadows are green,
   The sweet-smelling cowslips are plain to be seen;
The sweet ties of nature, which we plainly do see,
   For the baziers are sweet in the morning of May.
All creatures are deem'd, in their station below,
   Such comforts of love on each other bestow;
Our flocks they're all folded, and young lambs sweetly do play,
   And the baziers are sweet in the morning of May.
So now to conclude, with much freedom and love,
   The sweetest of blessings proceeds from above;
Let us join in our song that right happy may we be,
   For we'll bless with contentment in the morning of May.

http://www.thebookofdays.com/months/april/24.htm#SWINTON MAY-SONGS