William Byrd: This sweet and merry month of May
One of Byrd's few secular pieces, this was included in Thomas Watson's The First sett, Of Italian Madrigalls Englished, of 1590.

[This sweet and merry month of May,]
While Nature wantons in her prime,
And birds do sing, and beasts do play
For pleasure of the joyful time,
I choose the first for holiday,
And greet Eliza with a rhyme:
O beauteous Queen of second Troy,
Take well in worth a simple toy.

No music? Click Here.

[] denotes section heard in clip
(Close this window when done.)