Welcome Somer

Program Notes:

Commissioned and premiered by The Vocals Chamber Choir (Buffalo, NY) in June 2022. Also available in SATB and TTBB.

Text:

Now welcome, somer, with thy sonne softe,
That hast this wintres wedres overshake,
And driven away the longe nyghtes blake!
Saynt Valentyn, that art ful hy on-lofte,
Thus syngen smale foules for thy sake:
Now welcome, somer, with thy sonne softe,
That hast this wintres wedres overshake.
Wel han they cause for to gladen ofte,
Sith ech of hem recovered hath hys make;
Ful blissful mowe they synge when they wake:
Now welcome, somer, with thy sonne softe,
That hast this wintres wedres overshake,
And driven away the longe nyghtes blake!

Translation:

Welcome, summer, with sunshine soft,
The winter’s tempest you will break,
And drive away the long nights black!
Saint Valentine, throned aloft,
Thus little birds sing for your sake:
Welcome, summer, with sunshine soft,
The winter’s tempest you will shake.
Good cause have they to glad them oft,
His own true-love each bird will take;
Blithe may they sing when they awake;
Welcome, summer, with sunshine soft,
The winter’s tempest you will break,
And drive away the long nights black!

Text Source

Geoffrey Chaucer, from the Poem "Parlement of Foules", Late 14th Cent.