Old 'Oss

Come Lasses and Lads

OLD and new MAY SONG

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MAY DAY CAROL

I've been a-wandering all the night
And the best part of the day
Now I'm returning home again
I bring you a branch of May

A branch of May, my love, I say
Here at your door I stand
It's nothing but a sprout, but it's well budded out
By the work of the Lord's own hand

Take a bible in your hand
And read a chapter through
And when the day of judgment comes
The Lord will think of you

In my pocket I've got a purse
Tied up with a silver string
All that I do need is a bit of silver
To line it well within

My song is done and I must be gone
I can no longer stay
God bless you all both great and small
And send you a joyful May
 

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CORNISH MAY CAROL

Oss, Oss, Wee Oss

Unite and unite and let us all unite
For summer is a-come unto day
And wither we are going, we will all unite
In the merry morning of May

With a merry ring and now the joyful spring
O give us a cup of ale and the merrier we will sing

The young men of Padstow, they might if they would
They might have built a ship and gilded it all in gold

The young women of Padstow, they might if they would
They might have built a garland of the white rose and the red

Where are those young men that now here should dance?
For some they are in England and some they are in France

O where is St. George?
O where is he o ?
He's out in his longboat
All on the salt sea-o
Up flies the kite
Down falls the lark-o
And Ursula Birdhood she had an old ewe
And she died in her own park-o

With a merry ring and now the joyful spring
So happy are those little birds and the merrier we will sing

from the May celebration at Padstow, Cornwall

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Padstow May Night,Day, Farewell  Songs

Night Song

(unaccompanied)

Unite and unite and let us all unite,
   For summer is acome unto day,
And whither we are going we will all unite,
   In the merry morning of May.

I warn you young men everyone
   For summer is acome unto day,
To go to the green-wood and fetch your May home
   In the merry morning of May.

Arise up Mr. ---- and joy you betide
   For summer is acome unto day,
And bright is your bride that lies by your side,
   In the merry morning of May.

Arise up Mrs. ---- and gold be your ring,
   For summer is acome unto day,
And give to us a cup of ale the merrier we shall sing,
   In the merry morning of May.

Arise up Miss ---- all in your gown of green
   For summer is acome unto day,
You are as fine a lady as wait upon the Queen,
   In the merry morning of May.

Now fare you well, and we bid you all good cheer,
   For summer is acome unto day,
We call once more unto your house before another year,
   In the merry morning of May.

Day Song

Unite and unite and let us all unite,
   For summer is acome unto day,
And whither we are going we will all unite,
   In the merry morning of May.

Arise up Mr. ---- I know you well afine,
   For summer is acome unto day,
You have a shilling in your purse and I wish it was in mine
   In the merry morning of May.

All out of your beds,
   For summer is acome unto day,
Your chamber shall be strewed with the white rose and the red,
   In the merry morning of May.

Where are the young men that here now should dance,
   For summer is acome unto day,
Some they are in England and some they are in France
   In the merry morning of May.

Where are the maidens that here now should sing
   For summer is acome unto day,
They are in the meadows the flowers gathering,
   In the merry morning of May.

Arise up Mr. ---- with your sword by your side,
   For summer is acome unto day,
Your steed is in the stable awaiting for to ride
   In the merry morning of May.

Arise up Miss ---- and strew all your flowers,
   For summer is acome unto day,
It is but a while ago since we have strewed ours
   In the merry morning of May.

O! where is St. George,
O, where is he O?
He is out in his long-boat all on the salt sea O.
Up flies the kite and down falls the lark O,
Aunt Ursula Birdhood she had an old ewe
And she died in her own Park O.

With the merry ring, adieu the merry spring,
   For summer is acome unto day,
How happy is the little bird that merrily doth sing
   In the merry morning of May.

The young men of Padstow might if they would,
   For summer is acome unto day,
They might have built a ship and gilded her with gold
   In the merry morning of May.

The young women of Padstow might if they would,
   For summer is acome unto day,
They might have made a garland with the white rose and the red,
   In the merry morning of May.

Arise up Mr. ---- and reach me your hand,
   For summer is acome unto day,
And you shall have a lively lass with a thousand pounds in hand
   In the merry morning of May.

Arise up Miss ---- all in your cloak of silk,
   For summer is acome unto day,
And all your body under as white as any milk,
   In the merry morning of May.

O! where is St. George,
O, where is he O?
He is out in his long-boat all on the salt sea O.
Up flies the kite and down falls the lark O,
Aunt Ursula Birdhood she had an old ewe
And she died in her own Park O.

With the merry ring, adieu the merry spring,
   For summer is acome unto day,
How happy is the little bird that merrily doth sing
   In the merry morning of May.

Now fare you well and bid you all good cheer,
   For summer is acome unto day,
We call no more unto your house before another year
   In the merry morning of May.

Farewell

Farewell farewell my own true love
Farewell farewell my own true love

How can I bear to leave you
One parting kiss I'll give you
I'll go what 'ere befalls me
I'll go where duty calls me

Farewell farewell my own true love
Farewell farewell my own true love

No more will I behold thee
Nor in my arms enfold thee
With spear and penant glancing
I see the foe advancing

Farewell farewell my own true love
Farewell farewell my own true love

I think of thee with longing
Think though while tears are thronging
That with my last faint sighing
I whispered soft whilst dying

Farewell farewell my own true love
Farewell farewell my own true love

MAY MORNING CAROL

Te Deum Patrem colimus;,
Te laudibus prosequimur;
Qui corpus cibo reficis,
Caelesti mentem gratia.

Te adoramus, O Jesu!
Te, fili unigenite,
Te, qui non dedignatus est,
Subire claustra Virginis.

Actus in Crucem, factus es
Irato Deo Victima;
Per Te, Salvator unice,
Vitae. acterne Spiritus,
Cujus afflatu perperit
Infantem Deum Maria,
Aeternum benedicimus.
Triune Deus hominum,
Salutis Auctor optime,
Immenensum hoe mysterium
Ovante lingua canimus.
 

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DRAWING NEARER TO THE MERRY MONTH OF MAY
(The Copper Family)

Rise up the members of this house
Together come as we
For the summer springs so fresh and green and gay
We'll sing you all a blossom
And a bud on every spring
Drawing near to the merry month of May

Rise up the master of this house
All in your chain of gold
We hope you're not offended
With your house we make so bold

Rise up the mistress of this house
With gold all on your breast
And if your body is asleep
We hope your soul's at rest

Rise up the children of this house
All in your rich attire
And every hair upon your head
Shines like a silver wire

God bless this house and all its kin
Its riches and its store
We hope that you will prosper here
Both now and evermore
 

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MAY MORNING DEW

How pleasant in winter to sit by the hob
Listening to the sounds and the bark of a dog
Or in summer to wander the wide valleys through
And to pick the wild flowers in the May morning dew

Summer is coming, Oh, Summer is near
With the leaves on the trees and the sky blue and clear
And the small birds are singing their fond notes so true
And the wild flowers are springing in the May morning dew

The house I was born in is but a stone on a stone
And all round the garden the weeds they have grown
And all the fine neighbours that ever I knew
Like the red rose have perished in the May morning dew.

God be with the old folk, they are all dead and gone
And likewise my brothers, young Denis and John
As we tripped thrugh the heather, wild hares to pursue
Our joys they did mingle in the May morning dew
 

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QUEEN OF THE MAY

Now the winter is gone and the summer is come
And the meadows and plantains (plantings) so gay
I heard a fair maid so sweetly she sung
And her cheeks like the blossoms in May

Young Johnny the plowboy his cheeks like a rose
So cheery he sings to the plow
And the blackbird and thrush on every green bush
And the pretty girl a-milking her cow

As I walked through the fields to take the fresh air
And the meadows andi plantains so gay
I heard a young damsel so sweetiy she sung
And her cheeks like the blossoms in May
Y

I says,"Pretty fair maid, oh how come you here
In this meadow this morning so gay?"
This maid she replied, "Sir to gather me some may
For the trees they are all now in bloom."

I says, "My pretty fair maid shall I tarry with you
In this meadow this morning so gay?"
This maid she replied, "Are you so innocent
For fear you might lead me astray?"

I took this fair maid by the lily white hand
And on the green mossy bank set her down
And I planted a kiss on her red ruby lips
And the small birds a-singing all around

And when we arose from the green mossy bank
Through the meadow we wandered away
I had plowed by (my) true love on the green mossy bank
And I plucked her a handful of may

And when we arose she gave me a smile
And thanked me for what I had done
For I planted a kiss on her red ruby lips
For believe me those ne'er would I shun

'Twas early next morning I made her my bride
That the world would have nothing to say
And the bells they shall ring and the bridesmaids shall sing
And I'll crown her the queen of the May.

From Songs the Whalemen Sang, Huntington
Collected from the journal of Bengal, 1832

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Now Is the Month of Maying
Lyrics by Sir Thomas Morley

Now is the month of Maying, when merry lads are playing! Fa la la la la!
Each with his bonny lass, a-dancing on the grass, fa la la la la!

The Spring, clad all in gladness, doth laugh at Winter's sadness! Fa la la la la!
And to the bagpipes’ sound, the nymphs tread out the ground! Fa la la la la!

Fie! Then why sit we musing, youth’s sweet delight refusing? Fa la la la la!
Say, dainty nymphs and speak! Shall we play barley break? Fa la la la la!

Barley-Break, incidentally, was a well-known traditional game, "originally played by three couples, of which one, left in a middle den called hell, had to catch the others, who could break or separate when about to be overtaken". This from Chambers 20th Century Dictionary, barley being either "because played in a barley-field", or deriving from barley: "a word used in games in demand of a truce; a truce: a breathing-space. [Perhaps parley]."

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Drink To The) Old 'Oss

 

Ch. All hail, hail, the first of May-o
For it is, the first summer's day-o
Cast your cares and fears away
Drink to the old horse on the first of May.
 

Now Wintertime is gone and past-o
Summertime has come at last-o
We will dance and sing the day
And drink to the 'obby 'orse to bring the May.
 

Now bluebells they have started to ring-o
And true love, it is the thing-o
Love on any other day
Is never the same as on the first of May.
 

Now never let it come to pass-o
We should fail to raise a glass-o
Unto those now gone away
And left us the 'obby 'orse to bring the May.
 

Now Wintertime is gone and past-o
Summertime has come at last-o
We will dance and sing the day
And drink to the 'obby 'orse to bring the May.

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JOAN TO THE MAYPOLE

Joan, to the Maypole away let us on,
The time is swift and will be gone;
There go the lasses away to the green,
Where their beauties may be seen;
Bess, Moll, Kate, Doll,
All the brave lasses have lads to attend 'em,
Hodge, Nick, Tom, Dick,
Jolly brave dancers, and who can amend 'em?

Joan, to the Maypole away let us on,
The time is swift and will be gone;
There go the lasses away to the green,
Where their beauties may be seen;

Now, if we hold out as we do begin,
Joan and I the prize shall win;
Nay, if we live till another day,
I'll make thee Lady of the May.
Dance round, skip, bound,
Turn and bob, and then for a greeting;
Now, Joan, We've done,
Fare thee well till the next merry meeting.

Joan, to the Maypole away let us on,
The time is swift and will be gone;
There go the lasses away to the green,
Where their beauties may be seen;


Notes: Taken from the "National Song Book" where it is listed (authorless) as 17th Century.

Claude M. Simpson says in The British Broadside Ballad and Its Music (Rutgers, 1966):
 

The ballad is based on a short song in William Hick's Oxford Drollery, 1671, and in Windsor Drollery, 1672; the full broadside text is printed in all editions of Pills, 1719-1720, IV, 145, with music for which I can trace no title or earlier use. 'A Mock to Joan, to the May-pole away let us run, And to that tune,' beginning 'Tom to the Tavern away let us run,' is in Mock Songs, 1675." (p. 386)
 

In addition to the version above, William Chappell, in Popular Music of the Olden Time (1859; Dover, 1965, vol. 1, p. 303), quotes two stanzas from another version (as well as the Pills version):
 

Joan, shall we have a Hay or a Round,
Or some dance that is new-found?
Lately I was at a Masque in the Court,
Where I saw of every sort,
Many a dance made in France,
Many a Braule, and many a Measure;
Gay coats, sweet notes,
Brave wenches--O 'twas a treasure.
 

But now, methinks, these courtly toys
Us deprive of better joys:
Gown made of gray, and skin soft as silk,
Breath sweet as morning milk;
O, these more please;
[All] these hath my Joan to delight me:
False wiles, court smiles,
None of these hath my Joan to despite me.

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Come Lasses and Lads

Come lasses and lads, get leave of your dads
And away to the maypole hie
For every fair has a sweetheart there
And the fiddler's standing by
For Willy shall dance with Jane
And Johnny has got his Joan
To trip it, trip it, trip it, trip it
Trip it up and down
To trip it, trip it, trip it, trip it
Trip it up and down.

"You're out!" says Dick. "Not I!" says Nick
"'Twas the fiddler played it wrong."
"'Tis true!" says Hugh, and so says Sue
And so says everyone.
The fiddler then began
To play the tune again
And every girl did trip, trip it, trip it to the men
And every girl did trip, trip it, trip it to the men.

"Goodnight!" says Harry. "Goodnight!" says Mary
"Goodnight!" says Paul to John
"Goodnight!" says Sue to her sweetheart, Hugh
"Goodnight!" says everyone.
Some walked and some did run
Some loitered on the way
And bound themselves, by kisses twelve, to meet the next holiday
And bound themselves, by kisses twelve, to meet the next holiday.

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MAY SONG


Win-ter time is/gone and passed O/
Sum-mer time has/come at last O/
We shall sing and/dance the day
And/fol-low the Ob-by Oss to/bring the May//
So/Hail, hail the/First of May O/
For it is the/first Sum-mer's day O/
Cast your cares and/fears a-way
Drink/to the Old Oss on the/First of May//


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G D A D|B G c>
c|B/ A/ (G/A/) (B/A/) G/ F/|E F G2||

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The Maypole

Come lasses and lads take leave of your dads
And away to the maypole high
For every he has got his she
And the fiddler's standing by
There's Willie has got his Jane
And Jerry has got his Jean
And there to jig it, jig it, jig it,
Jig it up and down
Tol lol, tol lol etc

 

"Begin", says Harry, " I, I," saya Mary
We'll lead the Paddington Pound
"Do",says Jess, "Oh no ",says Bess
We'll have St Leger's round
Then every lad took off his hat
And bowed to his lass
And the women they did curtsey, curtsey
Curtsey on the grass
Tol lol, tol lol etc

 

"You're out!" says Dick. "Not I!" says Nick.
"'Twas the fiddler played it wrong."
"'Tis true!" says Hugh, and so says Sue
And so says everyone.
The fiddler then began
To play the tune again,
And every girl did foot it, foot it,
Foot it unto the men.
Tol lol, tol lol etc

 

"Lets kiss", says Fan , " I, I," says Nan
And so says every she
"How many", says Nan, "Why three, says Pat
For that's a maiden's fee
But instead of kisses three
They gave thm half a score
And the men in kindness, kindness, kindness
Gave them as many more
Tol lol, tol lol etc

Then after an hour they went to a bower
To play for wine and cake
And kisses too, what could they do
For the lasses held the stake
The women then began
To quarrel with the men
And bid them give the kisses back
And take their own again
Tol lol, tol lol etc

Now they did stay there all that day
And tired the fiddler quite
With dancing and play, without any pay
From morning until night
They told the fiddler then
They'd pay him for his play
Then each payed two-pence, two pence
Two-pence, and then toddled away
Tol lol, tol lol etc

"Goodnight!" says Harry. "Goodnight!" says Mary.
"Goodnight!" says Dolly to John.
"Goodnight!" says Sue to her sweetheart, Hugh.
"Goodnight!" says everyone.
Some walked and some did run.
Some loitered on the way,
And bound themselves, by kisses twelve,
To meet the next holiday.
Tol lol, tol lol etc

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May Song

 (As sung by Mum Johnstone)


Good morning lords and ladies it is the first of May,
We hope you'll view our garland it is so bright and gay,
For it is the first of May, oh it is the first of May,
Remember lords and ladies it is the first of May.

We gathered them this morning all in the early dew,
And now we bring their beauty and fragrance all for you,
For it is the first of May, oh it is the first of May,
Remember lords and ladies it is the first of May.

The cuckoo comes in April, it sings its song in May,
In June it changes tune, in July it flies away,
For it is the first of May, oh it is the first of May,
Remember lords and ladies it is the first of May.

And now you've seen our garland we must be on our way,
So remember lords and ladies it is the first of May,
For it is the first of May, oh it is the first of May,
Remember lords and ladies it is the first of May.

Source: Fred Hamer: Garners Gay (EDFS Publications 1967)

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w:May, Re-mem-ber lords and la-dies it is the first of May.

Fred Hamer comments:
This carol Mrs. Johnstone learned from her grandmother who came from Carlton, and it seems to have been used in some villages near the Northamptonshire border. This is the fullest version I have come across so far.

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Mill Town Rhyme

When I were old enough to toddle on me own down clough, I recall a simple lyric which we children would sing during a maypole parade through the mill town cobbled streets (yes it was the early 1950'S).
We would dress up in our parents clothes complete with moustache and garish lipstick and sing
                         "Hippy chippy Charlie merrily we go
                         All the happy family dancing in a row
                         I believe don't you see
                         Just come from the meadow green
                         And if you wait a little while
                         I will dance you the maypole style"
The song would repeat gaining tempo untill we were exhausted. I- Source: Digital Traditon

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CHESHIRE MAYDAY CAROL

All on this pleasant morning, together come are we,
        To tell you of a blossom that hangs on every tree.
We have stayed up all evening to welcome in the day,
        Good people all, both great and small, it is the first of May.

Good people all, both great and small, it is the first of May.

Rise up the master of this house, put on your chain of gold,
        And turn unto your mistress, so comely to behold.
Rise up the mistress of this house, with gold upon your breast,
        And if your body be asleep, we hope your souls are dressed.

Oh rise up Mister Wilbraham, all joys to you betide.
        Your horse is ready saddled, a-hunting for to ride.
Your saddle is of silver, your bridle of the gold,
        Your wife shall ride beside you, so lovely to behold.

Oh rise up Mister Edgerton and take your pen in hand,
        For you're a learned scholar, as we do understand.
OH rise up Mrs. Stoughton, put on your rich attire,
        For every hair upon your head shines like the silver wire.

Oh rise up the good housekeeper, put on your gown of silk,
        And may you have a husband good, with twenty cows to milk.
And where are all the pretty maids that live next door to you,
        Oh they have gone to bathe themselves, all in the morning dew.

God bless your house and arbour, your riches and your store.
        We hope the Lord will prosper you, both now and ever more.
So now we're going to leave you, in peace and plenty here,
        We shall not sing this song again, until another year.

Good people all, both great and small, it is the first of May.

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OLD MAY SONG

All in this pleasant evening, together comers [?come are] we,
    For the Summer springs so fresh, green, and gay;
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 alseep, we hope your soul's at rest,
    Drawing near to the merry month of May.

Rise up, the chilren 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;
We shall not sing you May again until another year,
    For to draw you these cold winters away.

                         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 conlcude, with much freedom and love,
The sweetest of blessings p[r]oceeds 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.†

    * The bazier is the name given in this part of Lancashire to the auricula, which is usually in full bloom in April. [....]
    † This last line would read better thus:
    'For we're blest with content in the morning of May.'

T.F. Thiselton Dyer also quotes these songs (with minor differences) in British Popular Customs, Present and Past (George Bell, 1876, pp. 219-220), with this note (to "New May Song"):

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MAY-DAY GARLAND

Traditional
The Oxford Book of Carols No. 48

I've brought you here a bunch of may!
Before your door it stands:
It's well set out and well spread about,
By the work of our Lord's hands:
It's well set out and well spread about,
By the work of our Lord's hands.

This morning is the first of May,
The primest of the year:
So ladies all, both great and small,
I wish you a joyful cheer:
So ladies all, both great and small,
I wish you a joyful cheer.

Then take your bible in your hand,
And read the scriptures through:
And when the day of judgement comes,
The Lord will remember you:
And when the day of judgement comes,
The Lord will remember you.

The clock's struck one! I must be gone!
No longer can I stay.
If I should live to carry again,
I'll call another May:
If I should live to carry again,
I'll call another May.

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WE'LL HAVE A MAY DAY
(Matt McGinn)

Chorus:
We'll have a May Day My O My O we'll have a May Day then
We'll have a May Day My O My O we'll have a May Day then

I have friends in London town, the finest ever seen
And I have some in Swansea and I've some in Aberdeen
We're all Labour good and true, and I'll tell you what we're going to do
We're going to fight this fight right through and we'll have a May Day then

Back in '45 they marched, from barrack room and mill
Determined they would make a change, for they had had their fill
From the kitchen sink and coal they came, every Labour man and dame
And shortly we'll be doing the same and we'll have a May Day then

Our faithers fought this fight before, and thought that they had won
You should have seen the boss turn green and how the man could run
But when our faithers turned their backs, the boss came again to dodge his tax
But the next time we'll no be so lax and we'll have a May Day then

They're never ever satisfied, though millions they have made
But still they think that you and I are grossly overpaid
There's nothing that they widnae steal, they even grudge your kids a meal
But very soon you'll hear them squeal and we'll have a May Day then

We'll join in jubilation and the big brass band you'll hear
As we march on in triumph to the future with a cheer
But as we greet the newborn day, the piper he'll have a tune to play
A lament for the sharks that are on their way and we'll have a May Day then

From: 'McGinn of the Calton', p 173.

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THE HYMNUS EUCHARISTICUS
 

Te Deum Patrem colimus,
Te Laudibus prosequimus,
qui corpus cibo reficis,
coelesti mentem gratia.
 

Te adoramus, O Jesu,
Te, Fili unigenite,
Te, qui non dedignatus es
subire clautra Virginis.
 

Actus in crucem, factus est
irato Deo victima
per te, Salvator unice
vitae spes nobis rediit.
 

Tibi, aeterne Spiritus
cuius afflatu peperit
infantem Deum Maria,
aeternum benedicimus.
 

Triune Deus, hominum
salutis auctor optime,
immensum hoc mysterium
orante lingua canimus.
 

ROGERS, Benjamin (1614-98). English composer and organist. Son of lay-clerk of St. George's Chapel, Windsor. 162u-162u: Chorister at St. George's Chapel, Windsor under Nathaniel Giles (1558-1634). 1639-41: Organist of Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin. 164u-6u: Returned to Windsor. 1660 (5th July): 'Hymnus Eucharisticus' for Guildhall Banquet for Charles II. 1661-64: Organist of Eton College. 1662-uu: Lay-clerk at St. George's Chapel, Windsor. 1664-85: Organist of Magdalen College (Oxford).
 

(1) "You have to get up early if you want to enjoy one of Oxford's most attractive old customs, the May Morning ceremony at Magdalen College.
"People gather very early on the morning of May Day on Magdalen Bridge. At 6:00 a.m., from high above on top of the tower of Magdalen College, the strains of a hymn in Latin float down, sung by the college choir. The hymn is followed by a madrigal and then the morris dancers dance in Radcliffe Square and Broad Street. How this custom started is not known, but it was going strong by about 1650 when the choir sang at 4:00 a.m. Later, musical instruments played and the whole concert went on for two hours, to be drastically reduced one very wet May morning late in the eighteenth century!
"A lot of pubs have a special licence and open for this event. Many also serve breakfast although booking ahead is often a necessity."
 

(2) "On May 1st of 1915, VB [Vera Brittain] describes the Oxford May Morning ceremony. 'I was up at 3:45 this morning for the famous Oxford May Morning ceremony. Magdalen Bridge was quickly crowded with townspeople, women students, the remaining undergraduates, and bicycles, while the river below was covered with punts and sculling boats. When the clock struck five everyone became suddenly silent, and then, just as the sun was rising, the Magdalen choir from the top of Magdalen tower sang the May Morning hymn. As they sang the sun gradually rose higher and threw a golden glow over the slender grey tower. The voices of the singers sounded very pure and sweet in the clear morning air. I had a choked feeling in my throat...'"
, it is subtitled "The Magdalen Tower Hymn" in Songs of Praise.

(also sung from the tower is Now Is the Month of Maying")

Father and God, we worship Thee,
And praise and bless on bended knee :
With food Thou'rt to our bodies kind, "
With heavenly grace dost cheer the mind. "
0, Jesus, only Son of God !
Thee we adore, and praise, and laud :
Thy love did not disdain the glooin
Of a pure Virgin's holy womb.

"
Nail'd to the cross, a victim made,
On Thee the wrath of God was laid :
Our only Saviour, now by Thee
Immortal life we hope to see. "
To Thee, Eternal Spirit, rise
Unceasing praise, from earth and skies :
Thy breath awoke the heavenly Child,
And gave Him to His mother mild. "
To Thee, the Triune God, be paid—
To Thee, who our redemption made —
All honour, thanks, and praise divine,
For this great mystery of Thine ! "

At the close of the hymn, all heads are covered, and the
singers hasten to the belfry, whence the bells ring out a
joyful peal. The spectators in the road beneath disperse,
the boys blowing tin horns, according to ancient custom, to
welcome in sweet May ; while others ramble into the fields
to gather cowslips and field flowers, which they bring into
the town. Occasionally the singing on the tower has been
heard, with a favourable wind, at two miles' distance. This
being a " gaudy day " for•the choristers, they have a dinner
of roast lamb and plum-pudding in the College-hall at two
o'clock.

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JETHRO TULL Jack in the Green


Have you seen Jack-In-The-Green?
With his long tail hanging down.
He sits quietly under every tree ---
in the folds of his velvet gown.
He drinks from the empty acorn cup
the dew that dawn sweetly bestows.
And taps his cane upon the ground ---
signals the snowdrops it's time to grow.

It's no fun being Jack-In-The-Green ---
no place to dance, no time for song.
He wears the colours of the summer soldier ---
carries the green flag all the winter long.

Jack, do you never sleep ---
does the green still run deep in your heart?
Or will these changing times,
motorways, powerlines,
keep us apart?
Well, I don't think so ---
I saw some grass growing through the pavements today.

The rowan, the oak and the holly tree
are the charges left for you to groom.
Each blade of grass whispers Jack-In-The-Green.
Oh Jack, please help me through my winter's night.
And we are the berries on the holly tree.
Oh, the mistlethrush is coming.
Jack, put out the light.

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[Broadside from the Madden collection, reprinted in Holloway and Black's 'Later English Broadside Ballads', I, #58, p. 135, 1975]

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Jack of the Green

It was in the month of May, when flowers were seen,
I saw a bonny lass with Jack upon the Green,
O how they hugg'd and kist, her call'd her his delight,
And told her, if she pleas'd, he would lie with her all night.

Fie young man, said she, your words do me affright,
To think that you should crave my maidenhead to-night,
I'd not for all the world with any man be seen,
My mammy she would say, we danc'd Jack on the Green.

He said, my joy, my only dear, I'll give you guineas two,
To grant me my request, all night to lie with you,
I will young man, said she, you creep behind the screen,
Whem my mammy is gone to bed, we'll dance Jack on the Green.

O then this couple parted, rejoicing she went home,
To think what sport she'd have, with her own dear John,
She kept her mammy in talk, Jack creeps behind the screen,
When her mamma was gone to bed, they danc'd Jack on the Green.

This couple fell to work, thinking they were not seen,
Whilst she learn'd these few steps, with Jack upon the Green,
Her mamma got out of bed, and by Jack was not seen,
And with an old besom's head she beat Jack off the Green.

Then Jack began to frown at feeling of the stick,
The cunning jad lay down, pretending to be sick,
Her mamma call'd her whore and sorry dirty quaen,
For learning those few steps with Jack upon the green.

Her mamma she laid on, she brake the besom's tail,
Then to get out of doors young Jack he did prevail,
He made a solemn vow he'd never more be seen
Along with a bonny lass, to dance Jack upon the Green.'

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And another:

THE OLD SONG (JACK ON THE GREEN)

If you listen to me I will sing of a spree
That happened a year or two back,
Concerning a gal they call Calico Sal
And a fellow named bendy-legged Jack.
Trala, trala, tra-lalala-la
Tra-lalala-lalala-la.
Then came the day, they were decked out so gay,
Jack wore his velveteens
Sal wore a dress that was worn by Black Bess
When she capered with Jack-on-the-Green.

Home they went on punishment bent.
They swore they'd pitch into the grub.
They had plenty of scran in an old brown pan
And a plate of pea soup in a tub.
 

From Songs sung in Suffolk, Vol 3

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Hal An Tow

There are two tunes for this song.

The first is from Kennedy, Folksongs of Britain and Ireland (select view image for much larger view) It is a Cornish Version

Lyrics given above are not complete.

The second tune comes from the Mudcat Digital Tradition mirror. This seems to be more of a dance tune.

[Chorus]
Hal an tow, jolly rumble oh
We were up long before the day oh
To welcome in the summer
To welcome in the may oh
The summer is a-comin' in
And winter's gone away oh

Take no scorn to wear the horn
It was a crest when you were born
Your father's father wore it
And your father wore it too

[chorus]

Robin hood and little john
Have both gone to the fair oh
And we will to the merry green wood
To hunt the buck and hare oh

[chorus]

What happened to the span-iard
That made so great a boast oh
They shall eat the feathered goose
And we shall eat the roast oh

[chorus]

The lord and lady bless you
With all their power and might oh
And send their peace upon us
And bring peace by day and night oh

[chorus]

--
Another version

Robin hood and little john
They both are gone to fair o!
And we will go to the merry green-woods
To see what they do there, o!
And for to chase the buck and doe.

[chorus]
With hal-lan-tow. Rumble-o!
For we were up
As soon as any day o!
And for to fetch the sumer home,
The summer and the may o!
For summer is a come, o!
And winter is a gone o!

Where are those bold spaniards
That make so great a boast o!
Why they shall eat the grey goose feathers,
And we will eat the roast, o!
In every land, o!
The land where'er we go.

[chorus]
 

The Watersons Version

Take no scorn to wear the horn
It was the crest when you was born
Your father's father wore it
And your father wore it too

Chorus :

Hal-an-tow, jolly rumbalow
We were up long before the day-O
To welcome in the summer,
To welcome in the May-O
The summer is a-coming in
And winter's gone away-O

What happened to the Spaniards
That made so great a boast-O?
Why they shall eat the feathered goose
And we shall eat the roast-O

Robin Hood and Little John
Have both gone to the fair-O
And we will to the merry green wood
To hunt the buck and hare-O

God bless the merry Moses
And all that power and might-O
And send us peace to England
Send peace by day and night-O

   Shirley Collins parallel with Helston Version

Robin Hood and Little John
They both are gone to fair-O
And we will to the greenwood
To see what they do there-O
And for to chase-O
To chase the buck and doe

Robin Hood and Little John
Are both gone to the fair-O
And we will to the merry greenwood
To see what they do there-O
And for to chase-O
To chase the buck and doe

Chorus (after each verse):

Hal-an-tow, jolly rumbalow
For we are up as soon as any day-O
For to fetch the summer home
The summer and the May-O
For summer is a-coming in
And winter is a-gone

Where are the Spaniards
That made so great a boast-O?
Why they shall eat the goose feather
And we shall eat the roast-O
In every land-O
The land where'er we go

Chorus\

Hal-an-tow, jolly rumbalow
For we were up as soon as any day-O
And for to fetch the summer home
The summer and the May-O
For summer is a-come-O
And winter is a-gone-O

And as for our good knight St. George
St. George he was a knight-O
Of all the knights in Christendom
St. George he is the right-O
In every land-O
The land where'er we go

As for St. George-O
St. George he was the knight-O
Of all the knights in Christendom
St. George he had the right-O
In every land-O
The land where'er we go

But for a greater than St. George
Our Helston has the right-O
St. Michael with his wings outspread
The archangel so bright-O
Who fought the fiend-O
Of all mankind the foe

God bless our merry Moses
And all that power and might-O
And send us peace in England
Send peace by day and night-O
In merry England
Both now and evermore

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Sumer is icumen in
Dating to 1240, as recorded in the wessex dialect
[music]

Sumer is icumen in,
Lhude sing cuccu,
Groweth sed, and bloweth med
And springth the wude nu
Sing cuccu!

Awe bleteth after lomb
Lhouth after calve cu;
Bulluc sterteth, bucke verteth
Murie sing cuccu,
Cuccu, cuccu!
Wel singes thu cuccu
Ne swik thu naver nu.

translation:

Summer is come in,
Loud sing cuckoo!
Groweth seed, and bloweth mead
And spring'th the wood now
Sing cuckoo!

Ewe bleateth after lamb,
Loweth after calf [the] cow.
Bullock strteth, buck verteth
Merry sing, cuckoo;
Cuckoo, cuckoo!
Well sing'st thou cuckoo
Nor cease thou never now.
 

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May Morning

As I walked out one May morning, one May morning so early
'Twas down by the side of a shady green tree
Oh there I beheld a most beautiful damsel
She sat there a-sighing all underneath the tree.

I slantered to this fair maid, I wished a good morning
She was the very first girl that ever wounded me
You never shall want for gold or bright silver
If you will only place your reflections on me

I thank you, kind sir, but I think you are a-joking
You think you are more fitting for higher girls than me
Besides your own friends they will always be a-frowning
They'll always be a-frowning and scorning of me

Come all you pretty fair maids that go now a-courting
Never chose their own man of any higher degree
For one may enjoy all the flowers of your garden
Then they will go and leave you as my love left me

(Repeat first verse)

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May Song

(verses recorded by Watersons)

We have been rambling all of the night,
The best part of this day;
And we are returning here back again
And we've brought you a garland gay.

Now I've been a-rambling all of the night
And the best part of this day;
And now I'm returning here back again
And I've brought you a garland gay.

A bunch of May we bear about
Before the door it stands;
It is but a sprout and it's all budded out
And it's the work of God's own hand.

A bunch of May I bear to you
Here at the door I stand;
It's nothing but a sprout but it's well budded out
By the work of God's own hand.

Oh wake up you, wake up pretty maid,
To take the May bush in.
For it will be gone and tomorrow morn
And you will have none within.

Why don't you do as we have done
On the very first day of May
When from our parents we have come
To run your wood so gay.

The heavenly gates are open wide
To let escape the dew.
It makes no delay it is here today
And it falls on me and you.

For the life of a man is but a span,
He's cut down like the flower;
He makes no delay he is here today
And he's vanished all in an hour.

Today a man is alive, my dear,
With many an hundred pounds.
Tomorrow morning he May be gone
And his body be underground.

And when you are dead and you're in your grave
You're covered in the cold cold clay.
The worms they will eat your flesh good man
And your bones they will waste away.

And when you are dead and in your grave
Covered in the clay so cold,
The worms will eat your flesh, good man,
And your bones turn to good mould.

Why don't you do as we have done
On the very first day of May,
When from our parents we have come
To run your wood so gay.

For the life of a man is but a span,
He's cut down like the grass;
Here's a health unto the green leaf of the tree
For as long as life shall last.

My song is done and I must be gone,
I can no longer stay.
God bless us all both great and small
And wish us a gladsome May.

And now our song is almost done,
We can no longer stay.
God bless us all both great and small
And we wish you a joyful May.

We've been a-rambling all of the night
And the rest part of the day.
And now we are returning again;
We've brought you a branch of May.

A branch of May so fine and gay,
Up at your door it stands;
It's nothing but a sprout but it's well budded out
By the work of our Lord's hand.

Wake up, wake up, you pretty fair maid,
Wake from your drowsy dream
And step into your dairy house
And fetch us a cup of cream.

Remember us old mayers here,
And now we do begin
To lead a life in righteousness
For fear of death in sin.

Repent, repent you wicked old men,
Don't die before you do.
And when the day of judgement comes
The Lord will think on you.

The hedges and fields are clothed all round
With several sorts of green;
Our heavenly Father waters them
With his heavenly showers of rain.

I have a purse here in my hand
Rolled up with a silken string,
And all that it wants is a coin or two
To line it well within.

The clock strikes one, it's time to be gone,
No longer can we stay.
God bless you all both great and small
And send you a peaceful May.

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Swinton May Song

All in this pleasant evening
Together come as we
For the summer springs so fresh and green and gay
We'll tell you of a blossom
And of buds on every tree
Drawing near to the merry month of May

Rise up the master of this house
All in your chain of gold
For the summer springs so fresh and green and gay
We hope you're not offended
With your house we'll make so bold
Drawing near to the merry month of May

Rise up the mistress of this house
With gold all on your breast
For the summer springs so fresh and green and gay
And if your body is 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 and green and gay
And every hair all on your head
Shines like a 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 and green and gay
We hope that 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 and green and gay
We will not sing you May again
Until another year
For to drive you these cold winter nights away

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Saffron Walden/Debden

At Saffron Walden, and in the village of Debden, an old
May-day song is still sung by the little girls, who go about
in parties carrying garlands from door to door. The first
stanza is to be repeated after each of the others by way of
chorus : — "
I, I been a rambling all this night, '
And some part of this day,
And. now returning back again,
I brought you a garland gay. "
A garland gay I brought you here,
And at your door I stand ; '
Tis nothing but a sprout, but 'tis well budded out,
The works of our Lord's hand. "
Why don't you do as I have done
The very first day of May ?
And from my parents I have come,
And could no longer stay. "
So dear, so dear as Christ loved us,
And for our sins was slain,
Christ bids us turn from wickedness,
And turn to the Lord again."

The garlands which the girls carry are sometimes large and
handsome, and a doll is usually placed in the middle, dressed
in white, according to certain traditional regulations : this
doll represents the Virgin Mary, and is a relic of the ages of
Romanism.

 

-Nooks and Corners of English Life, Past and Present, John Timbs, 1867.

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A MAY-SONG.
I.
WHEN the winds go Maying,
All in the woods so green,
The village chimes,
In the good old times,
Rung out for the young May Queen. '
Twas a goodly sight
When the maidens bright,
And the lads of generous mould,

Went out with the winds a-Maying In the merry days

Went out with the winds a-Maying
In the merry days of old.
A-Maying ! A-Maying !
Went out with the winds a-Maying
In the merry days of old !

 

II
When the winds go Maying
The emerald meadows through, '
Twas a maiden freak,
Each rosy cheek,
To bathe in the young May dew ;
And the dainty girls,
With the dewy pearls,
Decked their hair of the silken gold,
When they went with the winds a-Maying
In the merry days of old.
A-Maying ! A-Maying !
When they went with the winds a-Maying
In the merry days of old !

 

III
When the winds go Maying
By streamlet, grove, and hill,
Young Summer, drest
In her May-day vest,
Will gladly hail them still.
And the maidens gay
Will dance and play
With the lads of generous mould,
As they did when the winds went Maying
In the merry days of old.
A-Maying ! A-Maying !
As when the winds went Maying
In the merry days of old.

— Temple Bar. In: The Eclectic Magazine of Foreign Literature, Science, and Art John Holmes Agnew.1879.

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The Mayers SONG. "

A branch of May we have brought you,
And at your door it stands,
It is but a sprout,
But it's well budded out
By the work of our Lord's hands. "

The hedges and trees they are so green,
As green as any leek,
Our heavenly Father He watered them
With his heavenly dew so sweet. "

The heavenly gates are open wide,
Our paths are beaten plain,
And if a man be not too far gone,
He may return again. "

The life of man is but a span,
It flourishes like a flower,
We are here to-day, and gone to-morrow,
And we are dead in an hour. "

The moon shines bright, and the stars give a light,
A little before it is day,
So God bless you all, both great and small,
And send you a joyful May."

-Sharpe's London Magazine, 1848

The Mayer’s Song.

Remember us poor Mayers all,
And thus do we begin
To lead our lives in righteousness,
Or else we die in sin.

We have been rambling all this night,
And almost all this day,
And now returned back again
We have brought you a branch of May.

A branch of May we have brought you,
And at your door it stands,
It is but a sprout,
But it’s well budded out
By the work of our Lord’s hands.

The hedges and trees they are so green
As green as any leek,
Our heavenly Father He watered them
With his heavenly dew so sweet.

The heavenly gates are open wile,
Our paths are beaten plain,
And if a man be not too far gone,
He may return again.

The life of man is but a span,
It flourishes like a flower,
We are here to-day, and gone to-morrow,
And we are dead in an hour.

The moon shines bright, and the stars give a light,
A little before it is day,
So God bless you all, both great and small,
And send you a joyful May.

William Chappell, The Ballad Literature and Popular Music of the Olden Time. London: Chappell & Co., 1859.

Version from: Hone,  Day Book (i. 569), “as sung at Hitchin, in Hertfordshire,”

“Remember us poor Mayers all,
    And thus we do begin,
To lead our lives in righteousness,
    Or else we die in sin.
We have been rambling all the night,
    And almost all the day,
And now, returned back again,
    We have brought you a branch of May.”

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Furry Day Carol

Remember us poor Mayers all!
And thus we do begin -a,
To lead our lives in righteousness
Or else we die in sin-a.

With Holano, Holanto, Holanto,
Sing merry with Holanto,

We have been rambling half the night
And almost the day-a,
And now, returned back again,
We've brought you a branch of May-a.

O, we were up as soon as day,
To fetch the summer home-a,
The summer is a-coming on,
And the winters a-gone-a.
Then let us all most merry be,
And sing with a cheerful voice-a,
For we have good occasion now,
This time for to rejoice-a.

Saint George he next shall be our song:
Saint George, he was a knight-a,
Of all the men in Christendom,
Saint George he was the right-a.

God bless our land with power and might,
God send us peace in England,
Pray send us peace both day and night,
For ever in merry England.

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Nuts in May

Dance Tune from Kent

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When Spring Comes In

When Spring comes in the birds do sing,
The lambs do skip and the bells do ring
While we enjoy their glorious charm so noble and so gay.
The primrose blooms and the cowslip too,
The violets in their sweet retire, the roses shining through the briar,
And the daffadown-dillies which we admire will die and fade away.

Young men and maidens will be seen
On mountains high and meadows green,
They will talk of love and sport and play
While these young lambs do skip away,
At night they homeward wend their way
When evening stars appear.
The primrose blooms and the cowslip too,
The violets in their sweet retire, the roses shining through the briar,
And the daffadown-dillies which we admire will die and fade away.

The dairymaid to milking goes her blooming cheeks as red as a rose,
She carries her pail all on her arm so cheerful and so gay,
She milks she sings and the valleys ring,
The small birds on the branches there
Sit listening to this lovely fair. She is her master's trust and care
She is the ploughman's joy,
The primrose blooms and the cowslip too,
The violets in their sweet retire, the roses shining through the briar
And the daffadown-dillies which we admire will die and fade away.

Traditional Copper Family

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Month of May

'Twas in the pleasant month of May in the springtime of the year.
And down by yonder meadow there runs a river clear,
See how the little fishes how they do sport and play
Causing many a lad and many a lass to go there a-making hay.

Then in comes the scytheman that meadow to mow down,
With his old leathered bottle and the ale that runs so brown.
There's many a stout and labouring man comes here his skill to try.
He works, he mows, he sweats and blows and the grass cuts very dry .

Then in comes both Tom and Dick with their pitch-forks and their rakes
And likewise black-eyed Susan the hay all for to make.
There's a sweet, sweet, sweet and a jug, jug, jug, how the harmless birds did sing,
From the morning till the evening as we were a-haymaking.

It was just at one evening as the sun w as a-going down,
We saw the jolly piper come a-strolling through the town.
There he pulled out his tapering pipes and he made the valley ring,
So we all put down our rakes and forks and left off haymaking.

We call-ed for a dance and we tripp-ed it along.
We danced all round the haycocks till the rising of the sun.
When the sun did shine such a glorious light and the harmless birds did sing,
Each lad he took his lass in hand and went hack to his haymaking.

Traditional Copper Family

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Pleasant Month of May

'Twas in the pleasant month of May in the springtime of the year,
And down by yonder meadow there runs a river clear,
See how the little fishes how they do sport and play
Causing many a lad and many a lass to go there a-making hay.

Then in comes the scytheman that meadow to mow down,
With his old leathered bottle and the ale that runs so brown.
There's many a stout and labouring man comes here his skill to try,
He works, he mows, he sweats and blows and the grass cuts very dry.

Then in comes both Tom and Dick with their pitch-forks and their rakes
And likewise black-eyed Susan the hay all for to make.
There's a sweet, sweet, sweet and a jug, jug, jug, how the harmless birds did sing,
From the morning till the evening as we were a-haymaking.

It was just at one evening as the sun was a-going down,
We saw the jolly piper come a-strolling through the town.
There he pulled out his tapering pipes and he made the valley ring,
So we all put down our rakes and forks and left off haymaking.

We call-ed for a dance and we tripp-ed it along,
We danced all round the haycocks till the rising of the sun.
When the sun did shine such a glorious light and the harmless birds did sing,
Each lad he took his lass in hand and went back to his haymaking.

Traditional, Copper Family

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Cambridgeshire May Carol

Arise, arise, you pretty fair maids,
And take your May bush in,
For if that is gone before tomorrow morn
You would say we had brought you none.

Oh, the hedges and fields are growing so green,
As green as grass can be;
Our heavenly father watereth them
With his heavenly dew so sweet.

I have got a little purse in my pocket
That's tied with a silken string;
And all that it lacks is a little of your gold
To line it well within.

Now the clock strikes one, it's time we are gone,
We can no longer stay;
So please to remember our money, money box
And God send you a joyful May.

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 Come let us all a Maying go,
 And lightly, and lightly trip it to and fro;
 The bells shall ring,
 and the cuckow, the cuckow,
 the cuckow, the cuckow, the cuckow sing,
 The drums shall beat, the fife shall play,
 And so we'll spend our time away.

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1. I’ve been rambling all the night,
    And the best part of the day;
And now I am returning back again,
    I have brought you a branch of May.

2. A branch of May, my dear, I say,
    Before your door I stand,
It’s nothing but a sprout, but it’s well budded out,
    By the work of our Lord’s hand.

3. Go down in your dairy and fetch me a cup,
    A cup of your sweet cream,¹
And, if I should live to tarry in the town,
    I will call on you next year.

4. The hedges and the fields they are so green,
    As green as any leaf,
Our Heavenly Father waters them
    With His Heavenly dew so sweet.

5. When I am dead and in my grave,
    And covered with cold clay,
The nightingale will sit and sing,
    And pass the time away.

6. Take a Bible in your hand,
    And read a chapter through,
And, when the day of Judgment comes,
    The Lord will think on you.

7. I have a bag on my right arm,
    Draws up with a silken string,
Nothing does it want but a little silver
    To line it well within.

8. And now my song is almost done,
    I can no longer stay,
God bless you all both great and small,
    I wish you a joyful May.

Notes from Broadwood:

1. cheer?

Sung near Hinwick

Words and Music: English Traditional

Source: Lucy E. Broadwood, ed., English Traditional Songs and Carols. London: Boosey & Co., 1908.

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The Green Man

Deirdre Stuart/Kiva, Shaman

I was on a hill one day watching all the winter grey, there I met the strangest man,
He said "Call me a fool that's what I am;
But I've got magic I can bring the flowers back make the birds all sing;
I'll bring the light back to the land; I'm the Green Man. The Green Man."

I said, "where' ve you been my friend, the greyness never seems to end;
The winter's been so long and cold, I feel I'm getting ever old".
He said "I've been sleeping beneath the snow gaining strength while the winds did blow;
So I can bring light to your land I'm the Green Man. The Green Man".

Green Man bring the colors back to the land;
Green Man, You're the Green Man, The Green Man.

Can you see the Green Man, rising from his winter sleep?
I can see the Green Man awakening, awakening.

Just then he smiled and he turned around, wonders lay before me on the ground,
All the land had seemed to change, all the colors rearranged.
He said, "All this color doesn't mean a thing unless there's a winter before a spring;
Take a good look at your land------I'm the Green Man. The Green Man".

Green Man, bring the colors back to the land.
Green Man, You're the Green Man. The Green Man.
Green Man, bring the colors back to the land.
Green Man, You're the Green Man. The Green Man.
The Green Man.

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GREEN JACK

(Jehanne Mehta)
Wind to North East, snow on the crest
Winter takes a longtime to be gone.
Lambs in the fold, safe from the cold,
April past & May coming on.
But pray lend an ear, this music to hear,
Cold winds be gone give Jack but a chance.

Hey come along, hey come along
Come along & join in the dance.

O have you seen Jack in the Green
Footing it so lightly on his toes.
Buds in the trees, blossoms & leaves,
Springing out where ever he goes.
For he who was slain with the harvested grain
Is born anew & bids summer advance.

Bird song at dawn, up with the morn,
Throwing off the years two & three.
Old Mrs. Jones stretches her bones,
And put the whistling kettle on for tea.
Then she sweeps up the dirt & gathers her skirt
And away with Green Jack she does prance.

Morris men all, Squire & the fool
Cut a merry caper on the green.
Come maids & young men Let the dancing begin
For the living Earth our fair queen.
Then footing it still, make a ring round the hill
And light up the sky with your chants.

Repeat 2nd verse.

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Greenman 2

XTC

(From the album "HOMESPUN")

Please to bend down for the one called the Greenman
He wants to make you his bride
Please to bend down for the one called the Greenman
Forever to him you're tied

And you know for a million years he has been your lover
He'll be a million more
And you know for a million years he has been your lover
Down through the skin to the core

Heed the Greenman
Heed the Greenman

Please to dance round for the one called the Greenman
He wants to make you his child
Please to dance round for the one called the Greenman
Dressed in the fruits of the wild

And you know for a million years he has been your father
He'll be a million more
And you know for a million years he has been your father
Run to his arms at the door

Lay your head, lay your head, lay your head, lay your head on the Greenman
Lay your head, lay your head with mine
Lay your head, lay your head, lay your head, lay your head on the Greenman
Build a bed out of oak and pine

See the Greenman blow his kiss from high church wall
And unknowing church will amplify his call
 

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No. 26.
Here We Come Gathering Nuts of May.

Two opposite rows of girls. One side advances and sings, the other side replying:

The game is continued until all players are brought to one side.

Charlestown, W. Va.

This game is probably a recent importation from England, where it is very well known. It seems likely that the imitative dance really belongs to the season of nut-gathering,[78] and that the phrase, "Nuts of May," and the refrain, have crept in from its later use as a May-game.

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THE HYMNUS EUCHARISTICUS sung on Magdelan College Tower