Sumer is icumen in (Anonymous)

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• (Posted 2012-06-14)  CPDL #26506:     

Editor: Christopher Upton (submitted 2012-06-14).   Score information: A4, 1 page, 94 kB   Copyright: CC BY NC SA

Edition notes: This edition is intended to reproduce as closely as possible the layout of the original manuscript, using modern notation and type, with translations of the rubrics added (italicised), and replacing the letter Þ with th in the Middle English text. Both Both texts.

• (Posted 2008-07-03)  CPDL #17453: 

Editor: Monique Rio (submitted 2008-07-03).   Score information: Letter, 1 page, 85.2 kB   Copyright: Creative Commons BY 4.0

Edition notes: Updated 2016-08-17 "Sumer" only

• (Posted 2008-01-01)  CPDL #15742:   

Editor: Philip Legge (submitted 2008-01-01).   Score information: A4, 4 pages, 63 kB   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes: with a realisation, "Sumer" and alternate lyrics © David Greagg.

• (Posted 2006-03-24)  CPDL #11317: 

Editor: N. Nakamura (submitted 2006-03-24).   Score information: A4, 1 page, 56 kB   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes: Postscript file also available. Copyright © 2004 by N. Nakamura. Both texts, and also M. Bukofzer's duple transcription.

• (Posted 2005-08-30)  CPDL #09307:         

Editor: Brian Russell (submitted 2005-08-30).   Score information: A4, 4 pages, 32 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: NoteWorthy Composer file may be viewed and printed with NoteWorthy Composer Viewer. In score, with both texts.

• (Posted 2001-05-19)  CPDL #02715:         

Editor: John Henry Fowler (submitted 2001-05-19).   Score information: Letter, 6 pages, 37 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Canon realized for 4 mixed voices, BB.SATB. In score

General Information

Title: Sumer is icumen in
Composer: Anonymous

Number of voices: 6vv   Voicing: 6 equal voices
Genres: Secular & Sacred, Canon

Languages: Middle English, Latin
Instruments: A cappella

First published:
Description: This rota or round was originally sung with the secular Middle English text. It is widely held that the Latin text was added later in order to preserve it in the library of Reading Abbey (since profane works would not be held in the Abbey).

External websites:

• Wessex Parallel WebTexts
• Wikipedia article

See also: Summer is ycoming in (Robert Lucas Pearsall) (SSATBB)

Original text and translations

Middle English text Sumer is icumen in, Lhude sing Cuccu! GroweÞ sed, and bloweÞ med, and springÞ wde nu. Sing Cuccu! Awe bleteÞ after lomb, lhouÞ after calve cu. Bulluc sterteÞ, bucke verteÞ, murie sing Cuccu! Cuccu, cuccu, wel singes Þu Cuccu ne swik Þu naver nu. Pes: Sing cuccu nu. Sing cuccu. Sing cuccu. Sing cuccu nu! *Note: Þ in Middle English sounds like "th".

English translation Summer is come, sing loud, cuckoo! The seed grows and the meadow blooms, and now the wood turns green. Sing, cuckoo! Ewe bleats after lamb, cow lows after calf, bullock leaps, buck farts, sing merrily, cuckoo! Cuckoo, cuckoo! You sing well, cuckoo. Don't ever stop now. Pes: Sing cuckoo now. Sing, Cuckoo. Sing Cuckoo. Sing cuckoo now!

German translation Der Sommer kommt: Kuckuck, singe laut! Es wächst die Saat, die Wiese grünt und das Gehölz schlägt aus, singe, Kuckuck! Die Aue [das Mutterschaf] blökt nach dem Lamm, die Kuh muht nach dem Kalb. Der Ochse rührt sich, der Bock furzt, singe froh, Kuckuck! Kuckuck, Kuckuck, wie schön singst du, Kuckuck. Nun schweige niemals mehr. Pes: Sing, Kuckuck! Singe nun, Kuckuck!

Perspice Christicola

Latin text Perspice Christicola, que digacio; celicus agricola pro vitis vicio, filio, non parcens exposuit mortis exicio. Qui captivos Semivivos a supplicio Vite donat et secum coronat in celi solio. Pes: Regina caeli laetare.

English translation See, O follower of Christ, With what honor The heavenly farmer For a fault in the vine, Exposed his Son, Not sparing him, To the peril of death; Us, who were captive, Half-alive, He liberates from torment, Gives life And crowns, with himself, Upon the heavenly throne. Pes: Rejoice, O Queen of Heaven. Translation by St Ann choir

English translation Observe, worshipper of Christ, what gracious condescension! The heavenly husband, because of the vine's imperfection, not sparing his son, exposed him to death's destruction. The prisoners, who are half-dead on account of the death sentence, he restores to life, and crowns them at his side on heaven's throne. Translation by Ernest H. Sanders