Summer Is A-Comin' In
Today has been a beautiful spring day in my neck of the woods. Thus, running around doing various errands was much nicer than it could have otherwise been. I also had the opportunity to take a relaxing stroll this afternoon and see all the brightly blooming Azaleas.
To make matters more interesting, there is an eclipse of the Moon this evening. We will missed the the total eclipse. However, I have just finished viewing the partial eclipse. Eclipses are things of ancient mystery.
The pretty Spring weather reminds me of a song from my youth, called "Summer Is A-Comin' In". We would sing this song as children. What is particularly amazing is the this is the oldest song known to be written in the English language. It was written down anonymously in Reading Abbey in the thirteenth Century. The song can be sung as a round in three parts. Unfortunately, I have been unable to find a recording of it. This is a shame, as I still remember the tune and would love to share it. It is very jolly. However, the words I can share. The first version I found on-line. However, it differs in some places from the version I learned as a child. Also, it is not as easy to get these words to fit to the tune as the version I learned. I will give that version second.
Summer Is A-Comin In Version I
Summer is a-comin’ in,
Loudly sing cuckoo;
Groweth seed and bloweth mead
And springeth wood anew
Sing cuckoo.
Ewe now bleateth after lamb,
Low’th after calf the cow.
Bullock starteth, buck now verteth,
Merry sing cuckoo,
Cuckoo, cuckoo,
Well now sing thou cuckoo,
Nor cease thou never nu.
Summer Is A-Comin In Version II
Summer is a-comin’ in,
Loudy sing cuckoo;
Groweth seed and bloweth mead
And spring the world anew
Sing cuckoo!
Ought lo bleath, low'th after lamb,
Low’th after calf the co
Bullock strateth, bucketh mereth
Loudy sing cuckoo
Cuckoo, cuckoo,
Ought lo bleath, low'th after lamb,
Low’th after calf the co
Update: An anonymous commentator has directed me to a source for the tune of this song. The tune can be heard here. The anonymous commentator also corrects the spelling used here and directs attention to the relevant Wikipedia entry. Although Wikipedia is generally not to be trusted, it this case, the entry looks good. The difference in the words, both on the Wikipedia version and the version I learned as a child are quite facinating. Thanks Anon.
The CP
To make matters more interesting, there is an eclipse of the Moon this evening. We will missed the the total eclipse. However, I have just finished viewing the partial eclipse. Eclipses are things of ancient mystery.
The pretty Spring weather reminds me of a song from my youth, called "Summer Is A-Comin' In". We would sing this song as children. What is particularly amazing is the this is the oldest song known to be written in the English language. It was written down anonymously in Reading Abbey in the thirteenth Century. The song can be sung as a round in three parts. Unfortunately, I have been unable to find a recording of it. This is a shame, as I still remember the tune and would love to share it. It is very jolly. However, the words I can share. The first version I found on-line. However, it differs in some places from the version I learned as a child. Also, it is not as easy to get these words to fit to the tune as the version I learned. I will give that version second.
Summer Is A-Comin In Version I
Summer is a-comin’ in,
Loudly sing cuckoo;
Groweth seed and bloweth mead
And springeth wood anew
Sing cuckoo.
Ewe now bleateth after lamb,
Low’th after calf the cow.
Bullock starteth, buck now verteth,
Merry sing cuckoo,
Cuckoo, cuckoo,
Well now sing thou cuckoo,
Nor cease thou never nu.
Summer Is A-Comin In Version II
Summer is a-comin’ in,
Loudy sing cuckoo;
Groweth seed and bloweth mead
And spring the world anew
Sing cuckoo!
Ought lo bleath, low'th after lamb,
Low’th after calf the co
Bullock strateth, bucketh mereth
Loudy sing cuckoo
Cuckoo, cuckoo,
Ought lo bleath, low'th after lamb,
Low’th after calf the co
Update: An anonymous commentator has directed me to a source for the tune of this song. The tune can be heard here. The anonymous commentator also corrects the spelling used here and directs attention to the relevant Wikipedia entry. Although Wikipedia is generally not to be trusted, it this case, the entry looks good. The difference in the words, both on the Wikipedia version and the version I learned as a child are quite facinating. Thanks Anon.
The CP
posted by The Combat Philosopher at 6:23 PM
3 Comments:
Actually the original title is Sumer Is Icumen In. There's a recording of it on the Wikipedia page:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumer_Is_Icumen_In
this song is sung at the end of The Wicker Man.
This is perfect I was waiting for summer time because that's my favorite season because I practice all sports I like.
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