England - Anon, 1225: Miri it is while sumer ilast
Mirie it is while sumer ilast, dated to the first half of the 13th century, is the earliest surviving secular song that is both English and in the English language, preserved only by the good luck of being written on a piece of paper kept with an unrelated book. We have the music and a single verse. This may be a fragment, but its wonderful melody and poignant lyric embody in microcosm the medieval struggle to get through the winter, nature’s most cruel and barren season. (more info)
Miri it is while sumer ilast with fugheles song, oc nu neheth windes blast and weder strong. ei ei what this niht is long. and ich with wel michel wrong, soregh and murn and fast.
Merry it is while summer lasts with the song of birds; but now draws near the wind’s blast and harsh weather. Alas, Alas! How long this night is! And I, most unjustly, sorrow and mourn and fast.
