One of Janet Elizabeth's Folk Songs

To the Tune of Dave Webber's May Song [1]

Chorus:
  Hail, hail - the month of May-o
  Wintertime is here to stay-o;
  Do not cast a clout away
  Not until we reach the very end of May.

Wintertime it should have passed - so
Why do I feel this icy blast-o?
Seems like winter's here to stay,
Why won't it recognise that we have come to May?

Chorus:
  Hail, hail - the month of May-o
  Wintertime is here to stay-o;
  Do not cast a clout away
  Not until we reach the very end of May.

What on earth is going on-o?
Heed the words of Flanders and Swan-O ...
"Welcome in unkindly May
Frost by night and Hail by day!"

Chorus:
  Hail, hail - the month of May-o
  Wintertime is here to stay-o;
  Do not cast a clout away
  Not until we reach the very end of May.

Morris men have started to dance-o,
Will the sun shine? Not a chance-o!
Rain on any other day
Is never quite the same as on the first of May.

Chorus:
  Hail, hail - the month of May-o
  Wintertime is here to stay-o;
  Do not cast a clout away
  Not until we reach the very end of May.


Janet Elizabeth, May 2009

• Hear Dave Webber and Anni Fentiman sing Dave's wonderful May Song on the CD Lady of Autumn. They are singing as part of the group Beggar's Velvet. You can buy this CD from Old and New Tradition. You can also listen online there.


• Read the lyrics to Dave Webber's May Song in the Mudcat forum.


• You may also like to see my September song.