Paganistan: Notes from the Secret Commonwealth
In Which One Midwest Man-in-Black Confers, Converses & Otherwise Hob-Nobs with his Fellow Hob-Men (& -Women) Concerning the Sundry Ways of the Famed but Ill-Starred Tribe of Witches.
Now Is the Month of Maying, Revisited
Here's my male-male version of Thomas Morley's 1595 classic madrigal Now is the Month of Maying. (A female-female version won't be far to find for those so desirous.)
“Barley-break” is a typical May Game, a kind of tag played by three couples. Remind me to show you how to play it some time.
Fa la las: not just for Yule any more.
Now is the Month of Maying, Revisited
Now is the month of Maying,
when merry lads are playing
fa la la la la la la la fa la la la la la
each with his bonny lad
all in the greenwood shade
fa la la la la la la la fa la la la la la.
The Spring, clad all in gladness,
doth laugh at Winter's sadness
fa la la la la la la la fa la la la la la
and to the bagpipe's sound
fa la la la la la la la fa la la la la la
the youths tread out their ground
fa la la la la la la la fa la la la la la.
Fie then! Why sit we musing,
all sweet delight refusing?
fa la la la la la la la fa la la la la la
Say, doughty youth, and speak:
Shall we play barley-break?
fa la la la la la la la fa la la la la la
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