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Middle English Lyrics: Cuckou Song. Sumer is icumen in


Manuscript illumination of a Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) by Minaggio, 1618
Dionisio Minaggio, 1618.
McGill University Library


Cuckoo Song
[Brit. Lib. MS Harley 978, f. 11v]





5





10


Sumer is icumen in,
Loude sing cuckou!
Groweth seed and bloweth meed,
And springth the wode now.
Sing cuckou!

Ewe bleteth after lamb,
Loweth after calve cow,
Bulloc sterteth, bucke verteth,
Merye sing cuckou!
Cuckou, cuckou,
Wel singest thou cuckou:
Ne swik thou never now!
 

meadow blossoms
wood




leaps/farts



cease


Audio Excerpt from the CD
Joculatores Upsalienses: Early Music at Wik


For the direct .MP3 file, click here.






Corner of Harley Manuscript
Image of British Library, MS Harley 978, f. 11v.
Sheet music for Sumer is Icumen InSheet Music for "Sumer is Icumen In"




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