There's a song by Colin Muset from the 13th century we used to do called "Quant je voi yver retorner" or "When I See Winter Return". It's very useful because, depending on how you introduce it and play it, it can be a serious song or a funny song. The lyrics are about a wandering minstrel who sees winter coming on.

When I see winter return, I must find a place to stay. If only I could find a generous lord who would charge me nothing and would feed me pork, beef, mutton, ducks, pheasants, venison, fat hens, capons, and good cheeses in baskets.

Do it in medieval French and no one understands the lyrics and it's a serious piece of early music. Do it in English and play up the minstrel dreaming about food item after food item, and it can be very funny.

John