Egertonj-Leigh went out of his way to try to collect ANY Cheshire folk songs he found, before he published his 1867 book - he was very disappointed. There was hardly anything left. This one is a traditional one with what appears to be "chapel" verses added to it. It does sound very like the Padstow one to me... CHESHIRE MAY SONG All on this pleasant evening, together cometh we, For the summer springs, so fresh and green and gay To tell you of a blossom that buds on every tree. Drawing near to the merry month of May. Rise up the master of this house, all in your chain of gold, We hope you'll not be offended, this night we make so bold Rise up the mistress of this house, with gold upon your breast, And if your body be asleep, we hope your soul's at rest. Sweet Flora, in her prime, down by yon river see Where the fields and the meadows look gay Where the little birds are singing, sweet flowers are springing And the summer springs, so fresh, green and gay. He hanged on a tree our Saviour for to be And so did our Lord God provide To clothe and feed our bodily need And to save our souls when we die. Now again comes the spring, which causes us to sing And every living creature to rejoice For giving thanks to him that sends us everything That is needful for man and for beast. Oh! This is pleasant singing, sweet flowers they are springing And the summer springs, so fresh, green and gay Right happy are those people who in their hearts give thanks Full and still, to their great Lord alway. God bless your house and company, your riches and your store. And all within your gates, we wish you ten times more In the midst of peace and plenty, we wish to leave you here We will come no more a-singing, until another year. "Copied for me [Egerton Leigh, bef. 1866] by George Leigh of Lymm;… it is the song now sung in the Lymm district."
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