Happy May Day!

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.


Magpie Lane perform traditional English music and song. They combine powerful vocals
with vigorous dance tunes - inventive arrangements on acoustic instruments.

Magpie Lane appear regularly at top national Festivals - including Sidmouth, Towersey,
Fylde and Chippenham - and have recorded six CDs on the Beautiful Jo label.

from Ode in May

What is so sweet and dear
...As a prosperous morn in May,
...The confident prime of the day,
And the dauntless youth of the year,
When nothing that asks for bliss,
...Asking aright, is denied,
And half of the world a bridegroom is,
And half of the world a bride?

.....from Ode in May by Sir William Watson (1858-1935

Bedford May Carol

Trad

We've been a-rambling all the night
And the best part of the day
And now we are returning back again
We have brought you a branch of May

A branch of May, my dear I say
And at your door it stands
It's nothing but a sprout but it's well budded out
By the work of our Lord's hands

Arise, arise, you fair pretty maid
And bring your May bush in
Or else in the morning if it should be gone
You'll say we've never been

Arise, arise, you fair pretty maid
Out of your dozy dream
And go down to your dairy house
And fetch us a dish of cream

If not a dish of your fresh cream
A jug of your brown beer
And if we return for to tarry in your town
We'll call on you next year

The clock strikes one, it's time to be gone
We can no longer stay
So God bless you all, both middle great and small
And send you a happy May