John Howarth vocal & banjo; Gerry Kearns vocal & guitar; Larry Kearns 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.
Drawing near to the merry month of May
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.
Drawing near to the merry month of May
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 around a 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 Routledge and Sons and L.C. Gent. It is also 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 around a 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 Routledge and Sons and L.C. Gent. It is also the first edition of 1865 (London, Whittaker and Co)
First published by TOPIC Records 1979
Album - That Lancashire Band LP 12TS399stereo
The Oldham Tinkers
First published by TOPIC Records 1979 by John Brierley, Cargo Recording Studio, Rochdale, April 1979. Notes by Larry Kearns / Sleeve illustration and design by John Atkinson
Produced by Tony Russell
Re-released on C.D. by Pier Records in 2000 under licence from Topic Records Ltd, England.
The C.D. The Oldham Tinkers, ‘That Lancashire Band’ PIERCD 504
The classic Lancashire folk album from 1979, available for the first time on CD, with three bonus tracks, full song notes and a sleeve note introduction from B.B.C. presenter Andy Kershaw.
Album - That Lancashire Band LP 12TS399stereo
The Oldham Tinkers
First published by TOPIC Records 1979 by John Brierley, Cargo Recording Studio, Rochdale, April 1979. Notes by Larry Kearns / Sleeve illustration and design by John Atkinson
Produced by Tony Russell
Re-released on C.D. by Pier Records in 2000 under licence from Topic Records Ltd, England.
The C.D. The Oldham Tinkers, ‘That Lancashire Band’ PIERCD 504
The classic Lancashire folk album from 1979, available for the first time on CD, with three bonus tracks, full song notes and a sleeve note introduction from B.B.C. presenter Andy Kershaw.