This edition was prepared by David Anderson — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Glad May Day
Staff Notation • Secular, Partsongs
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Glad May Day by Nathan L. Glover — Lyrics
The sun already from the skies,
Above the belfry gleaming,
Peeps in at many a maiden’s eyes
And laughs her from her dreaming;
The wind that all the night was low,
Among the chestnuts on the brow
Starts caroling her lay
And merrily seems to say,
“Ye boys and girls who love the spring,
Troup out, troup out, to dance and sing,
Ye should not be so slow,
On glad May day.”
The hall must lay its grandeur by,
The hamlet cease its labor,
As squire and kind agree to try
The worth of pipe and tabor.
E’en helpless age in elbow chair
Sits by and nods his thin gray hair,
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About Glad May Day
Nathan L. Glover's Glad May Day evokes a vibrant spring festival, a scene of communal celebration where nature and human merriment combine. The text paints a picture of the sun rising to greet maidens, the wind singing through the trees, and the general call to abandon daily routines for dancing and music. Even the elderly are drawn to the joyful atmosphere, reminiscing about their own youthful energy. This SATB setting in English captures the spirit of secular Renaissance part-music, encouraging everyone, young and old, to embrace the delights of May Day with song and dance. It is a lively invitation to joy and fellowship.
