The Midsummer Carol Songtext
von The Devil's Interval

′Twas early I walked on a fine midsummer's morning
The fields and the meadows were decked and gay
The small birds were singing, the woodlands a-ringing
Early in the morning, at breaking of day

I will play on my pipes, I will sing to thee, my lady
′Twas early in the morning, at breaking of day

Arise, love, arise, go and gather your love-poses
The fairest of flowers that in yonder garden grows
Go gather me lilies, carnations and roses
I'll wear them with pride for the young girl I chose


Come dress me with flowers, I'm as gay as a king
I′m as glad as a bird when my carol I sing

Oh hark, love, oh hark, love, the nightingales are wooing
The lark is aloft piping shrill in the air
In every green bower the turtle-doves are cooing
The sun is hot gleaming, arise up, my dear

I′ve waited all year from mid-winter through to May
Yes, I've waited all year for the dawn of Lemon Day
Arise, love, arise, love, in song and in story
The sun rises high over golden fields of hay


I′ll play thee a tune on my gilded pipes of ivory
Early in the morning, at breaking of day
I'll play on my pipes, I will sing to thee, my lady
It′s early in the morning, at breaking of day