| Author | Topic: Add: Midsummer Carol | |
| Pip Freeman | Posted - 02 Jun 04 - 01:08 pm | |
Midsummer Carol. 'Twas early I walked on a midsummer morning, The fields and the meadows were decked and gay, The small birds were singing, the woodlands a-ringing, 'Twas early in the morning, at breaking of day, I will play on my pipes, I will sing thee my lay! It is early in the morning, at breaking of day. O hark! and O hark! to the nightingales wooing, The lark is aloft piping shrill in the air. In every green bower the turtle-doves cooing, The sun is just gleaming, arise up my fair! Arise, love, arise! none fairer I spie Arise, love, arise! O why should I die? Arise, love, arise! go and get your love posies, The fairest of flowers in garden that grows, Go gather me lilies, carnations and roses, I'll wear them with thoughts of the maiden I chose I stand at the door, pretty love, full of care, O why should I languish so long in despair? O why my love, O why, should I banished be from thee? O why should I see my own chosen no more? O why look your parents so slightingly on me? It is all for the rough ragged garments I wore, But dress me with flowers, I'm as gay as a king, I'm glad as a bird when my carol I sing. Arise, love, arise! in song and in story, To rival thy beauty was never a may, I will play thee a tune on my pipes of ivory, It is early in the morning, at breaking of day, I will play on my pipes, I will sing thee my lay! It is early in the morning, at breaking of day. Source: Songs of the West by S. Baring-Gould. Notes: Notes from S. Baring-Gould. Words and tune from William Aggett of Chagford.A very early and curious melody of the same date as the 'May Day Carol' and the words belong to a similar custom. Compare with this 'Lemonday' in our 'Garland of Country Songs' Originally doubtless an Aeolian, perhaps a Dorian tune, that has been corrupted and modernised. | ||
| diane easby | Posted - 03 Jun 04 - 12:31 pm | |
Laurel Swift's Midsummer Carol is oh so jolly and bristling with musicality. Hear it on the NECTA Arts recording Beam (though not the hip-hop version). http://www.nectaarts.co.uk/ "We're friends for a second, lovers for a day Our paths briefly cross then soar away Our worlds collide with flying sparks..." --- url made into link Edited By Jon Freeman - 03-Jun-2004 01:53:52 PM | ||
| Jon Freeman | Posted - 03 Jun 04 - 01:54 pm | |
Diane, did you mean there is a sound clip there? I can't find one. | ||
| diane easby | Posted - 03 Jun 04 - 07:06 pm | |
Nah, it's not up yet, Jon, (and we know who to blame!). But you could buy the cd... | ||