Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1859

Comments

The May-bells and the Flowers
Mendelssohn

One of sixty-eight pieces bound in “The Shower of Pearls : A collection of the most beautiful duets, for two sopranos, soprano and alto, soprano and tenor, soprano and bass, and tenor and bass, arranged with an accompaniment for the piano-forte.”

Boston. Published by Oliver Ditson & Co. 277 Washington Street

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Lyrics

[verse 1]
Young may-bells ring throughout the vale,
And sound so sweet and clear:
The dance begins, ye flowers all, Come with a merry cheer.
Come with a merry cheer.
The flowers red, and white, and blue, merrily flock around,
Forget-me-not of heav'nly hue, And violets too abound,
Forget-me-not of heav'nly hue, And violets too abound.
Forget-me-not of heav'nly hue, And violets too abound!
Young may-bells play a sprightly tune, And all begin to dance,
While o'er them smiles the gentle moon, With her soft silv'ry glance,
With her soft silv'ry glance.
This Master Frost offended sore, He in the bale appear'd,
Young May-bells ring the dance no more, Gone are the flowers sear'd,
Gone are the flowers sear'd, The flowers sear'd,
But why should I not go.... Then why should I not go?

[verse 2]
Frost had scarcely taken flight, When well known sounds we hear,
The may-bells with renew'd delight, Are ringing doubly clear,
Are ringing doubly clear.
Now I no more can stay at home, The may-bells call me too,
The flowers to the dance all roam, Then why should I not go,
The flowers to the dance all roam, Then why should I not go,
The flowers to the dance all roam, Then why should I not go.
Young May-bells ring the dance no more, Gone are the flowers sear'd,
Gone are the flowers sear'd, The flowers sear'd,
But why should I not go.... Then why should I not go?

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The views expressed in this paper are solely those of the author.