May-Day Songs and Poems |
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The Milkmaid's Life Upon the first of May, With Garlands fresh and gay They nimbly their feet do ply, In honour of Th' milking paile. -c1640 (Anon.) The Humours of May Day What Frolicks are here So droll and so queer How joyful appeareth the day E'en Bunter and Bawd Unite to applaud And celebrate first of the May -1770 (Anon.) The Chimney Sweepers Glee Then on May-day we sons of soot Through the streets do feetly foot, With silver garlands are so grand, With silver garlands are so grand, And thus we dance our saraband With a ruttock, a cluttock, A wallet, a satchel O rare May-day. We be kings and queens and duke, Here is Lord Tye-Wig and Lady Jewkes And hand in hand with Madam Flaskin The great grandee Don Galligaskin So Ladies now we bid adieu, May May-day wever smile on you, And thus in all our gear so fine With Madam Montague we dine. With a ruttock, etc… By Dr. J. Beckwith of Norwich and words by J. Walker, 1790 |
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The Chimney-Sweepers: A Town Eclogue Dingy: Last May-day as I skipp'd the garland round, Cheer'd by the merry hurdy-gurdy's sound, I look'd, methought, with an unusual grace, For Moll herself had wash'd and chalk'd my face.
That happy day I never shall forget He brayed for joy - say cou'd the beast do less? The knots on his rump were tied by Bess. -1773 (Anon.) 10 |
Which one of the songs do you think they are singing? Probably not the Chimney Sweepers Glee. |