Dance to the measure . . .

Subject: RE: Dance to the measure . . .
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Nov 22 - 10:45 PM

Farmers are hoeing raking and sowing, Persephone is back again   
???
Orchards all abloom. Scatter rich perfume. Farmers at work with bright good cheer.

So dance to the measure, now’s the time for pleasure. Persephone is back again.

Subject: RE: Dance to the measure . . .
From: Mo the caller
Date: 09 Oct 13 - 06:40 AM

My guess was that the 'garden gate' line was put in because the children might not know who or what Persephone was.
Though I can remember hearing the story (not the song) from Miss Lovett along with various trad tales (many of which I didn't like, e.g. the man who killed his dog, and the lover who cooked his hawk).

Subject: RE: Dance to the measure . . .
From: GUEST,Sid
Date: 09 Oct 13 - 03:11 AM

In grade school we sang to slightly different words:

"Dance to the measure, now's the time for pleasure; Persephone once more is here.
Orchards all abloom, scatter rich perfume; [Persephone] once more is here."

I'm not sure about that last phrase. It might have said "spring" something or other. "The garden gate is open wide" could fit one of the lines so as not to repeat Persephone.

It was an ordinary small town public school on Long Island NY, but some of the teachers were wonderful.

Subject: RE: Dance to the measure . . .
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 30 Mar 12 - 11:39 AM

I think you're talking about 2 different songs.
English Country Garden, collected as Country Gardens by Sharp from William Kimber, arranged by percy grainger and turned into a chart success (judged by sheet music sales).
Then the words were added ... and it was recorded by Rolf Harris, Nana Mouskouri and Jimmie Rodgers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUyxCP5Rvco

I don't know what Dance to the measure is.....

Derek

Subject: RE: Dance to the measure . . .
From: GUEST,ussf
Date: 30 Mar 12 - 09:42 AM

I, too, remember this song from when I was in kindergarten in 1950. We sang this song on May day. I remember the May pole with all the ribbons around it, and all the girls in the class were decked out with flowers, etc. The boys and girls alternated, each with the one end of a ribbon in their hands. The other end of the ribbons were attached to the top of the May pole and we danced around it until the ribbons were woven around the pole. That's all I can remember of it.....other than Magaret Fisher who I fell in love with immediately and stayed in love with her until the fourth grade when I moved to Florida. hehehehehe

Subject: RE: Dance to the measure . . .
From: GUEST,Papi
Date: 06 Jul 10 - 07:43 PM

I recall the lyrics this much from first grade. Can anyone fill in the blanks or tell me a source for all the correct words?

The garden gate is open wide,
Just see the lovely sights inside.
Dum da dum in lovely gowns (?)
And sivler bells in sparkling crowns (?)

Sunshine rays are shining,
Chase the shadows winding,
Rainbows are painted everywhere.

So dance to the measure
Now's the time for pleasure,
The garden gate is open wide.

Subject: RE: Dance to the measure . . .
From: Zorro
Date: 29 Dec 98 - 04:59 PM

I vaguely recall the title of the song. When I lived in Corpus Christi, (TX) I could pick up a show called Thistle and Shamrock, a one hour show with Celtic Music and I believe this song (it was a dance) tune was on the show. I may have taped it, I taped many, and if so I may be able to find it... I'll put a tracer on this thread and see if I can find it. A long shot, at best... But worth a try.. Z

Subject: RE: Dance to the measure . . .
From: rich
Date: 28 Dec 98 - 10:13 PM

still no one has heard of this old song? I found the music with the English Country Garden lyrics in an old book with no attribution or acknowledgments . . . Sigh

Rich

Subject: RE: Dance to the measure . . .
From: Rich
Date: 29 Nov 98 - 03:36 PM

No one has heard of this? Rich

Subject: RE: Dance to the measure . . .
From: Rich
Date: 05 Nov 98 - 09:59 PM

"Dance to the Measure, Now's the time of pleasure, Persephone is back again"

And then? That's all I recall. Anyone else? Rich

Subject: Dance to the measure . . .
From:
Date: 06 Oct 98 - 03:19 PM

An elderly relative remembers a song from third grade, sung to the tune I know as "English Country Garden." ("How many kinds of sweet flowers grow, in an English country garden? We'll tell you now of some that we know, those we miss, you'll surely pardon . . .")

Old Paul recalled this much: "Dance to the measure, now's the time of pleasure, Persephone is back again."

Can anyone direct me to the rest of Paul's lyrics? Rich