Graham Irwin - Padstow May Song - with lyrics in the description

Graham Irwin sings Padstow May Song accompanied on electro-acoustic 12-string guitar. A traditional song from Padstow in Cornwall, part of the 'Obby 'Oss festival celebrated in the town on May Day each year. Although the earliest mention is 1803, it is likely the song and other parts of the festival are part of a pagan fertility rite. The words have become corrupted and deliberately changed over the years. LYRICS: Unite and unite, and let us all unite For summer is a-come unto day. And whither we are going, we all will unite In the merry morning of May. The young men of Padstow, they might if they would For summer is a-come unto day. They might have built a ship, and gilded it with gold In the merry morning of May. The young maids of Padstow, they might if they would For summer is a-come unto day. They might have built a garland, with the white rose and the red In the merry morning of May. Rise up, Mrs Lound, all in your gown of green For summer is a-come unto day. You are as fine a lady, as waits upon the Queen In the merry morning of May. Oh where is St George? Oh where is he, oh? He’s out in his longboat, all on the salt sea, oh. Up flies the kite, down falls the lark, oh. Aunt Ursula Birdwood, she has an old yow, And she died in her own park, oh. With the merry ring and with the joyful spring For summer is a-come unto day. How happy are the little birds, and the merrier we shall sing In the merry morning of May. Oh where are the young men that now do advance For summer is a-come unto day. Some they are in England and some they are in France In the merry morning of May.