As I was sitting here drinking my coffee from my LVW coffee mug (Do YOU have an LVW coffee mug?) and preparing to upload this little pagan song that we’re working on I was reminded of a story. Unfortunately, I can’t for the life of me remember what it was now, so without further ado, here is Summer is A-Coming In. This is, by the way, the earliest known counterpoint song, stemming from around the year 1240.
You’ll notice this is no longer in old English but a singing translation of my own based on some translations I found on the web. I hope you’ll find it a bit easier to sing, if not quite as interesting historically.
Full melody
[audio:https://www.lewesvoiceworks.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Summer-is-A-Coming-In.mp3|titles=Summer is A-Coming In]
Descant
[audio:https://www.lewesvoiceworks.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Summer-is-A-Coming-In-descant.mp3|titles=Summer is A-Coming In, descant]
I like the Ezra Pound, too. For some reason Carol didn’t think it was funny. No accounting for taste, I suppose. Glad you’re finding this easier to sing, though.
I agree with Sally – these lyrics are easier to sing even though I love the old english.
I also like the Ezra Pound parody found on Wiki but I don’t think we could sing goddamn so many times in such close proximity to the church!
That’s great, Sally! Really pleased.
Thank you Paul&Carol,
This is much easier to sing!…I can sing this without a problem.
Sallyx