John Ireland - The Sweet Season
When May bedecks each branch with green, each bird strains forth his voice
The lively sap creeps up into the blooming thorn
The flowers, which cold in prison kept, now laugh the frost to scorn
All nature's imps triumph while joyful May doth last;
When May is gone, of all the year the pleasant time is past
May makes the cheerful hue, May breeds and brings new blood
May marcheth throughout every limb, May makes the merry mood
May prieketh tender hearts their warbling notes to tune
Full strange it is, yet some we see do make their May in June
Thus things are strangely wrought while joyful May doth last;
Take May in time, when May is gone the pleasant time is past
All ye that live on earth, and have your May at will
Rejoice in May, as I do now, and use your May with skill
Use May while that you may, for May hath but his time
When all the fruit is gone, it is too late the tree to climb
Your liking and your lust is fresh while May doth last;
When May is gone, of all the year the pleasant time is past
Song Description:
edit soundcloudSoundCloud:
edit soundcloudMore John Ireland lyrics
John Ireland - Youth's Spring Tribute
On this sweet bank your head thrice sweet and dear I lay, and spread your hair on either side And see the newborn woodflowers bashful-eyed Look through the golden tresses here and
John Ireland - Penumbra
I did not look upon her eyes (Though scarcely seen, with no surprise 'Mid many eyes a single look) Because they should not gaze rebuke At night, from stars in sky and brook
John Ireland - Spleen
Around were all the roses red The ivy all around was black Dear, so thou only move thine head Shall all mine old despairs awake! Too blue, too tender was the sky
John Ireland - Beckon to Me to Come
Beckon to me to come With handkerchief or hand Or finger mere or thumb; Let forecasts be but rough Parents more bleak than bland 'Twill be enough Maid mine
John Ireland - Weathers
This is the weather the cuckoo likes And so do I; When showers betumble the chestnut spikes And nestlings fly; And the little brown nightingale bills his best And they sit
John Ireland - Summer Schemes
When friendly summer calls again Calls again Her little fifers to these hills We'll go - we two - to that arched fane Of leafage where they prime their bills Before they
John Ireland - Her Song
I sang that song on Sunday To which an idle while I sang that song on Monday As fittest to beguile: I sang it as the year outwore And the new slid in; I thought not
John Ireland - In My Sage Moments
In my sage moments I can say Come not near But far in foreign regions stay So that here A mind may grow again serene and clear But the thought withers. Why should I
John Ireland - Great Things
Sweet cyder is a great thing A great thing to me Spinning down to Weymouth town By Ridgway thirstily And maid and mistress summoning Who tend the hostelry: O cyder is a
John Ireland - Love and Friendship
Love is like the wild rose-briar Friendship like the holly-tree - The holly is dark when the rose-briar blooms' But which will bloom most constantly? The wild rose-briar
YouTube
John Ireland
