Lyr Req: May Song (D Webber) and other May songs

Subject: Lyr Add: THE QUEEN OF MAY (from Bodleian)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 20 May 11 - 07:26 PM

The Bodleian Library has 6 different editions of this broadside. The following transcription is a composite of all of them; where they differed, I chose the words I liked best. I also modernized the spelling and punctuation (but not the grammar).


THE QUEEN OF MAY

When the winter is gone and the summer is come,
The meadows are pleasant and gay.
The lark in the morning how sweetly she sings
With the small birds on every tree.

Young Johnny the ploughboy, he is as fresh as a rose,
And cheerfully sings at his plough,
While the blackbird and thrush sing on every bush,
And the dairy maid milking her cow.

As I walked through the fields to take the fresh air,
And the flowers springing pleasant and gay,
I heard a young damsel most sweetly to sing
And her cheeks like the blossoms in May.

I said, "Pretty fair maid, how come you here
In the meadows this morning so soon?"
The maid she replied. "To gather some May,
For the trees they are all in full bloom."

I says, "Pretty maid, shall I accompany you
Through the meadows to gather some May?"
But the maid she replied, "You must be denied,
For I fear, sir, you will lead me astray."

Then I took the fair maid by her lily-white hand.
On the green mossy bank we sat down.
I placèd a kiss on her sweet ruby lips
And the small birds were singing around.

And when we arose from the green mossy bank,
Through the meadows we wandered away.
I placèd my love on a primrose bank,
And plucked her a handful of May.

When I returned, she game me a smile
And thanked me for what I had done.
I placed a sprig on her snowy white breast.
Believe me, there ne'er was a thorn.

Then early next morning I made her my bride,
That the world should have nothing to say.
The bells they did ring and the bride's maid did sing,
And I crowned her the Queen of May.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: May Song (D Webber) and other May songs
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 01 May 13 - 03:30 PM

In response to Mrzzy's comment above on seasonal outdoor recreation...

First of May (bawdy lyrics) by Jonathan Coulton

Performed by him in 2010

A lovely video of the song interpreted in American Sign Language

If you have any fondness for the video gaming world, here is an amusing rendition in a video game fantasy world.

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: Lyr Add: FIRST OF MAY (Bee Gees)
From: GUEST,Mark
Date: 02 May 13 - 11:23 AM

"First of May" by the Bee Gees (1969)

When I was small, and christmas trees were tall,
We used to love while others used to play.
Don't ask me why, but time has passed us by,
Some one else moved in from far away.

(chorus)
Now we are tall, and christmas trees are small,
And you don't ask the time of day.
But you and i, our love will never die,
But guess well cry come first of may.

The apple tree that grew for you and me,
I watched the apples falling one by one.
And I recall the moment of them all,
The day I kissed your cheek and you were mine.

(chorus...)

When I was small, and christmas trees were tall,
Do do do do do do do do do...
Don't ask me why, but time has passed us by,
Some one else moved in from far away.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE TRYSTING TREE (from Bodleian)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 02 May 13 - 10:26 PM

The Bodleian Library has 4 versions of this song:

Harding B 11(3903), Harding B 11(382), Firth c.12(296), and 2806 c.13(303)


THE TRYSTING TREE

In the days of old, when the forest and glade
To the hunter's hounds were free,
The merry men rode through brake and glen
To meet at the trysting tree;
And then was seen, in Lincoln green,
Full many a yeoman bold,
With a good yew bow, for buck or doe,
And a steed of stalwart mould;
And loud and lasting was their glee,
As they drank to the brave old trysting tree.

At early dawn on merry May-day,
The welkin would ring with glee,
And the villagers carried the Queen of May,
To be crowned at the trysting tree.
Bright eyes would glance in the joyous dance,
And the merry pipe would sound,
While the old man's tale, and the nut-brown ale,
Would add to the mirth around,
And the leaves would shake on the brave old tree,
In joy at their rustic revelry.

Young lovers have met 'neath his giant shade
When the curfew closed the day;
And there has many a maiden prayed
For her loved one far away.
Kings have died in their regal pride,
And storms have swept the land,
But the trysting tree, though old he be,
Does still maintain his stand,
And may he live another race to see
And brave, the rare, old trysting tree.

Subject: Lyr Add: WHERE THE GRASSY TURF O'ERHUNG WITH ...
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 03 May 13 - 11:33 AM

From The Irish Musical Repository (London: B. Crosby, 1808), page 188:

[The book also contains notation for a melody line.]


WHERE THE GRASSY TURF, &c.

1. Where the grassy turf o'erhung with willow,
    Where reeds and osiers fringe the lake,
At early dawn I left my pillow
    One among the merry, merry maids to make:
        The first of May
        So blithe and gay,
        The first of May
        So blithe and gay,
Where the merry, merry, merry maids a-maying go,
Where the merry, merry, merry maids a-maying go;
        The first of May
        So blithe and gay,
        The first of May
        So blithe and gay,
Where the merry, merry maids a-maying go,
Where the merry, merry maids a-maying go.

2. One drooping willow formed a bower,
    Where Patrick's voice soon caught my ear;
The morn was fair, and soft the hour,
    But sweeter far his song to hear.
        Of me he sung,
        My praises rung, [...]
Where the merry merry maids a-maying go.

3. Where troops of village lads and lasses
    Hailed and crowned me queen May,
Thy charms, he cried, all charms surpasses,
    So shall my love feel no decay.
        Then vows of truth
        I gave the youth, [...]
Where the merry merry maids a-maying go.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: May Song (D Webber) and other May songs
From: Ged Fox
Date: 03 May 13 - 01:12 PM

SONGS Compleat, Pleasant and Divertive ;
Set to musick By Dr. JOHN BLOW, Mr. HENRY PURCELL,
and other Excellent Masters of the Town.
Words to a Tune of Mr. BARRET'S, called the CATHERINE.

IN the pleasant Month of May,
When the merry, merry Birds began to sing;
And the Blossoms fresh and gay
Ushered in the welcome Spring;
When the long cold Winter's gone,
And the bright enticing Moon,
In the Evening sweetly shon:
When the bonny Men and Maids tript it on the Grass;
At a jolly Country Fair,
When the Nymphs in the best appear;
We resolv'd to be free, with a Fiddle and a She,
E'ery Shepherd and his Lass.

In the middle of the Sport,
When the fiddle went brisk and the Glass went round,
And the Pretty gay Nymphs for Court,
With their Merry Feet beat the Ground;
Little Cupid arm'd unseen,
With a Bow and Dart stole in,
With a conquering Air and Mien,
And empty'd his Bow thro' the Nymphs and the Swains;
E'ery Shepherd and his Mate,
Soon felt their pleasing Fate,
And longing to try in Enjoyment to die,
Love reign'd o'er all the Plains.

Now the sighing Swain gave o'er,
And the wearied Nymphs could dance no more,
There were other Thoughts that mov'd,
E'ery pretty kind Pair that Lov'd:
In the Woods the Shepherds lay,
And mourn'd the time away,
And the Nymphs as well as they,
Long'd to taste what it is that their Senses cloys,
Till at last by consent of Eyes,
E'ery Swain with his pretty Nymph flies,
E'ery Buxom She retires with her He,
To act Love's solid Joys.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE MAY-DAY COUNTRY MIRTH
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 03 May 13 - 02:27 PM

This is an earlier and a more complete version of the song that others have called JOAN, TO THE MAYPOLE, and posted above. I found 2 copies of this song, that vary only in insignificant details; one is in the Bodleian collection, Douce Ballads 2(152a); the other is in The Roxburghe Ballads: Illustrating the Last Years of the Stuarts Vol. 7, Part 1, edited by J. Woodfall Ebsworth (Hertford: Ballad Society, 1890), page 79:

[I have modernized the spelling and punctuation, except in the title.]


The May-Day Country Mirth;
Or,
The Young Lads and Lasses' Innocent Recreation,
Which is to be priz'd before Courtly Pomp and Pastime.
To an Excellent New Tune. Licensed according to Order.

1. Joan, to the maypole away let's run.
The time is swift and will be gone.
There go the lasses away to the green,
Where their beauties may be seen:
    Nan, Doll, Kate and Moll,
Brave lasses have lads to attend 'em;
    Hodge, Nick, Tom, Dick,
Brave dancers, who can amend 'em?

2. Did you not see the Lord of the May,
Walk along in his rich array?
There goes the lass that is only his.
See how they meet and how they kiss!
    Come, Will; run, Gill,
Or dost thou list to lose thy labour?
    Kit Croud, scrape aloud.
Tickle her, Tom, with a pipe and tabor!

3. Lately I went to a mask at court,
Where I see dances of every sort.
There they did dance with time and measure,
But none like country dance for pleasure.
    There did they dance just as in France,
Not like the English lofty manner;
    And every she, must furnished be
With a feathered knack when she sweats for to fan her.

4. But we, when we dance, and do happen to sweat,
Have a napkin in hand for to wipe off the wet,
And we with our doxies do jig it about,
Not like the court which often are out;
    If the tabor do play, we thump it away,
And turn and meet our lasses to kiss 'em.
    Nay, they will be as ready as we,
That hardly at any time can miss 'em.

5. Yonder comes Dolly over the down,
And Roger he gives her a fair green gown.
See how he hands her up again,
And how they trip along amain.
    They pass, o'er the grass,
And at every stile they are billing.
    He gives; she receives,
Being youthful, ready and willing.

6. There is not any that shall out-vie
My little pretty Joan and I,
For I'm sure I can dance as well
As Robin, Jenny, Tom, or Nell.
    Last year, we were here,
When ruff Ralph he played us a bourée,
    And we, merrily
Thumped it about and gained the glory.

7. Come, sweet Joan; let us call a new dance,
That we before them may advance.
Let it be what you desire and crave,
And sure the same sweet Joan shall have.
    She cried and replied:
If to please me thou wilt endeavour,
    Sweet pig, the wedding jig,
Then, my dear, I'll love thee for ever.

8. Sure I will grant thee thy request,
And learn thee that among the rest,
For ere it be long, we'll married be,
And then my pretty Joan shall see,
    Fine toys, sweet joys,
And soft kisses too, out of measure;
    Sweet charms, in my arms,
This will be a fountain of pleasure.

9. And if we hold on as we begin,
Joan, thee and I the garland shall win;
Nay, if thou live till another day,
I'll make thee Lady of the May.
    Dance about, in and out,
Turn and kiss, and then for greeting;
    Now, Joan, we have done.
Fare thee well till the next merry meeting.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: May Song (D Webber) and other May songs
From: GUEST
Date: 03 May 13 - 03:15 PM

There's a song called "Following the Old 'Oss" by Tony Deane recorded by Tony Rose. Chorus goes:

And we're following the old 'oss through the town
And we're following the old 'oss Padstow round,
All on a bright May morning,
All on the first of May.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: May Song (D Webber) and other May songs
From: Ged Fox
Date: 05 May 13 - 04:45 AM

"In the pleasant month of May"