The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #131777   Message #2975790
Posted By: GUEST,Bob Coltman
30-Aug-10 - 08:13 AM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Very early songs
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Very early songs
Alas the Dobson and Harrison book is rare, asking price running $300-400 and up. Perhaps a major library has it, but I have found no etext on the web.

I don't know if the following pretty song will help you. It is reproduced from the Dobson and Harrison book via another book. The melody is given with the text at:

http://www.folkinfo.org/songs/displaysong.php?songid=811

MIRIE IT IS

Mirie it is, while sumer ilast,
With fugheles song.
Oc nu necheth wides blast,
And weder strong.
Ey! Ey! what this night is long!
And ich, with well michel wrong,
Soregh and murne and fast.

(Modern English Translation:
It is pleasant, while summer lasts, with the birds' song. But now, the storming wind comes on, and severe weather. Alas! how long this night is, and I, because of very great wrong, grieve, and mourn and fast.)