There are many renditions of Sumer is Icumin In on Youtube. This is my favorite, since it faithfully retains all of it's striking characteristics.
This is a remarkable song in many respects. Dating from the mid 13th century, it is clearly in a major key, perhaps the earliest known example of tonal music. It also features an ostenato base line, doubled in canon, and melody in canon - also possible firsts.** In all there are six distinct voices. Probably a first for that as well.*** This song anticipates later musical developments (ostenato, canon, tonality, multi-voice texture) by hundreds of years.
Wow. Really. Just -- WOW!
Here are the lyrics, per Wikipedia:
Middle English
- Sumer is icumen in,
- Lhude sing cuccu!
- Groweþ sed and bloweþ med
- And springþ þe wde nu,
- Sing cuccu!
- Awe bleteþ after lomb,
- Lhouþ after calue cu.
- Bulluc sterteþ, bucke uerteþ,
- Murie sing cuccu!
- Cuccu, cuccu, wel singes þu cuccu;
- Ne swik þu nauer nu.
- Pes:
- Sing cuccu nu. Sing cuccu.
- Sing cuccu. Sing cuccu nu!
Modern English translation
- Summer is a-coming in,
- Loudly sing, Cuckoo!
- The seed grows and the meadow blooms
- And the wood springs anew,
- Sing, Cuckoo!
- The ewe bleats after the lamb
- The cow lows after the calf.
- The bullock stirs, the stag farts,
- Merrily sing, Cuckoo!
- Cuckoo, cuckoo, well you sing, cuckoo;
- Don't you ever stop now,
- Sing cuckoo now. Sing, Cuckoo.
- Sing Cuckoo. Sing cuckoo now!
______________________________________________
* Manuscript image from this source.
** All true, according to this source.
*** Verified at this source.
*** Explored here: Roscow, G. H. 'What is "Sumer is icumen in"? Review of English Studies 50 (1999), 188-95, according to this.
1 comment:
Ancient Music
by Ezra Pound
Sing goddamn, damn. Sing goddamn!
Sing goddamn, damn. Sing goddamn!
Winter is i-cumin in,
Lhude sing goddamn!
Raineth drop and staineth slop
And how the wind doth ram
Sing goddamn!
Skiddeth bus and sloppeth us,
An ague hath my ham
Freezeth river, turneth liver,
Damn you, sing goddamn.
Goddamn, goddamn, tis why I am goddamn,
So gainst the winter's balm.
Sing goddamn, sing goddamn, DAMN!
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