Old May Song
John howarth vocal & banjo; Gerry Kearns vocal & guitar; Larry Kearns chorus & mandolin
All in this pleasant evening, together come are we.
For the summer springs so fresh, green and gay.
We’ll tell you of a blossom, that 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, your house we make so bold.
Drawing near to the merry month of May.
Rise up the mistress of this house, with gold upon your breast.
For the summer springs so fresh, green and gay.
And if your body be asleep, I hope your soul’s at rest..
Drawing near to the merry month of May.
Rise up the children of this house, all in you rich attire.
For the summer springs so fresh, green and gay.
For every hair upon your head, 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 ever more.
Drawing near to the merry month of May.
So now were 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.
All in this pleasant evening, together come are we.
For the summer springs so fresh, green and gay.
We’ll tell you of a blossom, that 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, your house we make so bold.
Drawing near to the merry month of May.
Rise up the mistress of this house, with gold upon your breast.
For the summer springs so fresh, green and gay.
And if your body be asleep, I hope your soul’s at rest..
Drawing near to the merry month of May.
Rise up the children of this house, all in you rich attire.
For the summer springs so fresh, green and gay.
For every hair upon your head, 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 ever more.
Drawing near to the merry month of May.
So now were 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.
Old May Song
May songs and maypole songs were commonplace in Oldham during the first three days of May when John , Gerry and Larry were younger and in fact the lads have already recorded some of them on previous LPs. These however have tended to be rhythmic for dancing round the pole.
Gerry had only the words to work on with this song from Swinton. The tune which he wrote and added, makes it far more melodious than the May songs of the Oldham Tinkers’ childhoods but for them not so evocative of fond memories.
Gerry encountered the song in BALLADS AND SONGS OF LANCASHIRE, 2nd edition, compiled and collected by John Harland, published in London in 1875 by George Routhledge and Sons and L.C. Gent. It is also in the first edition of 1865 (London, Whittaker and Co.).
May songs and maypole songs were commonplace in Oldham during the first three days of May when John , Gerry and Larry were younger and in fact the lads have already recorded some of them on previous LPs. These however have tended to be rhythmic for dancing round the pole.
Gerry had only the words to work on with this song from Swinton. The tune which he wrote and added, makes it far more melodious than the May songs of the Oldham Tinkers’ childhoods but for them not so evocative of fond memories.
Gerry encountered the song in BALLADS AND SONGS OF LANCASHIRE, 2nd edition, compiled and collected by John Harland, published in London in 1875 by George Routhledge and Sons and L.C. Gent. It is also in the first edition of 1865 (London, Whittaker and Co.).
Old May Song
That Lancashire Band 12TS399 stereo
The Oldham Tinkers
First published by TOPIC 1979
Produced by Tony Russell
Recorded by John Briefly, Cargo Recording Studio, Rochdale, April 1979
Notes by Larry Kearns
Released under licence from Topic Records Ltd, England
That Lancashire Band PIERCD 504
Re issued in 2000 by Pier Records
Pier Records is a Wooden Hill Recordings Ltd Label
That Lancashire Band 12TS399 stereo
The Oldham Tinkers
First published by TOPIC 1979
Produced by Tony Russell
Recorded by John Briefly, Cargo Recording Studio, Rochdale, April 1979
Notes by Larry Kearns
Released under licence from Topic Records Ltd, England
That Lancashire Band PIERCD 504
Re issued in 2000 by Pier Records
Pier Records is a Wooden Hill Recordings Ltd Label