“Mirie it is while sumer ilast“ - Middle English Folk Song

“Mirie it is while sumer ilast“ is one of the earliest surviving secular songs in the English language, dating to the first half of the 13th century. It is about the longing for summer in the face of the approaching cold weather, shortened hours of daylight, the potential for sickness and death. The manuscript survived on a piece of paper alongside two other French songs in a Psalm book for several centuries. It was rediscovered towards the end of the 19th century; the musical composition was slightly rearranged by Frank Llewellyn around 1964. The modern English lyrics: Merry it is while summer lasts With fowl’s song. But now nears the wind’s blast And weather strong. Oh, oh! How this night is long! And I with very much wrong Sorrow and mourn and fast Performed by Ensemble Belladonna, 2006 (Melodious Melancholye).