Sumer Is Icumen In
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Sumer Is Icumen In is a traditional English round, and possibly the oldest such example of counterpoint in existence. The title might be translated as "Spring Has Come In", "Summer has arrived", or even "Warm weather has arrived", since the word in Middle English extends over a longer period than the modern one [1]. It is sometimes known as the Reading rota because the manuscript comes from Reading Abbey though it may not have been written there. It is the oldest piece of six-part polyphonic music (Albright, 1994). Its composer is anonymous, possibly W. de Wycombe, and it is estimated to date from around 1260. The manuscript is now at the British Library. The language is Middle English, more exactly Wessex dialect.
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[edit] Music
The original manuscript, written in the mid-13th century, is written in a musical notation somewhat confusing to modern eyes, yet still clearly a precursor of modern notation:
To sing as a round, one singer would begin at the beginning, and a second would start at the beginning as the first got to the point marked with the red cross. The length between the start and the cross corresponds to the modern notion of a bar, and the main verse comprises six phrases spread over twelve such bars. In addition, there are two lines marked "Pes", two bars each, that are meant to be sung together repeatedly underneath the main verse. These instructions are included (in Latin) in the manuscript itself.
The music is somewhat more readable in modern notation:
- Sumer is icumen in (file info) — play in browser (beta)
- Melody only
- Sumer is icumen in (file info) — play in browser (beta)
- As six-voice round (four in melody, two in "pes")
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[edit] English lyrics (secular)
The better-known lyrics for this piece are in Middle English, and comprise a song of spring (reverdie):
- Svmer is icumen in,
- Lhude sing cuccu!
- Groweþ sed and bloweþ med
- And springþ þe wde nu,
- Sing cuccu!
- Awe bleteþ after lomb,
- Lhouþ after calue cu.
- Bulluc sterteþ, bucke uerteþ,
- Murie sing cuccu!
- Cuccu, cuccu, wel singes þu, cuccu;
- Ne swik þu nauer nu.
Pes:
- Sing cuccu nu. Sing cuccu.
- Sing cuccu. Sing cuccu nu!
[edit] Modern English translation
- Spring has come in (or Summer has arrived),
- Loudly sing, Cuckoo!
- Seeds grow and meadows bloom
- And the forest springs anew,
- Sing, Cuckoo!
- The ewe bleats after the lamb,
- The cow lows after the calf.
- The bullock jumps, the billy-goat farts,
- Merrily sing, Cuckoo!
- Cuckoo, cuckoo, well you sing, cuckoo;
- Nor cease you ever now,
- Sing cuckoo now. Sing, Cuckoo.
- Sing Cuckoo. Sing cuckoo now!
[edit] Latin lyrics (sacred)
This work is also one of the earliest examples of music with both religious and secular lyrics, though the secular ones are perhaps better known. It is not clear which came first, but the religious lyrics, in Latin, are a reflection on the sacrifice of the Crucifixion.
- Perspice Christicola†
- que dignacio
- Celicus agricola
- pro uitis vicio
- Filio
- non parcens exposuit mortis exicio
- Qui captiuos semiuiuos a supplicio
- Vite donat et secum coronat
- in celi solio
†written "χρ̅icola" in the manuscript
[edit] English translation
- Observe, Christian, such honour!
- The heavenly farmer,
- due to a defect in the vine,
- not sparing the Son,
- exposed him to the destruction of death.
- To the captives half-dead from torment,
- He gives them life and crowns them with himself
- on the throne of heaven.
[edit] In film
The song was used with chilling effect at the climax of the film The Wicker Man.
[edit] On record
The Song was included in the CD 1000 Years Of Popular Music recorded by the British musician Richard Thompson. A DVD version of a similar concert, also featuring this song, was released in June 2006.
The song was also recorded as "Summer Is A Coming-In" under the name of "Mr & Mrs Smith & Mr Drake" on a 1991 cassette only album (now available on CD), & is more faithful to the original notation than the version made popular by 'The Wicker Man' film. This band later settled on the name of the Sea Nymphs. This was one of the many "at whim" side projects of the eccentric English "pronk" band Cardiacs: the dramatis being Tim Smith, Sarah Smith & William D Drake.
[edit] In parody
This piece was parodied in "Ancient Music" by American Poet, Ezra Pound (Lustra collection, 1913-1915):
- Winter is icumen in,
- Lhude sing Goddamm,
- Raineth drop and staineth slop,
- And how the wind doth ramm!
- Sing: Goddamm.
- Skiddeth bus and sloppeth us,
- An ague hath my ham.
- Freezeth river, turneth liver,
- Damm you; Sing: Goddamm.
- Goddamm, Goddamm, 'tis why I am, Goddamm,
- So 'gainst the winter's balm.
- Sing goddamm, damm, sing goddamm,
- Sing goddamm, sing goddamm, DAMM.
The melody of Sumer Is Icumen In was sung, with new lyrics, by the mice in each episode of the television series Bagpuss.
[edit] Source
- Albright, Daniel (2004). Modernism and Music: An Anthology of Sources. University of Chicago Press. ISBN 0-226-01267-0.
