Mediaeval English Folk Song - Miri It Is While Sumer Ilast

Miri It Is While Sumer Ilast ('Merry It Is While Summer Lasts') is a mediaeval English song dating from around the 13th century. It is one of the oldest surviving English folk songs known to musical historians. The singer laments the passing of summer and the arrival of darker, wetter months as winter approaches.

Recording credit: Ensemble Belladonna, Melodious Melancholye: The Sweet Sounds of Medieval England

This channel is dedicated to preserving the neglected culture of English folk songs in the form of short lyrical videos. The folk songs of the English have been overlooked compared to those of the other British peoples, something that this channel hopes to fix.

[RomanusVII]

I heard joke in reference to this song saying, “It’s only fitting that one of the oldest songs in England is complaining about the weather.”

[ashwinnmyburgh]

I love Middle English, it was such a melodious language.

[woodnymph]

Sometimes our ancestors feel so close.

[GtrPeace]

I'm so old, we still spoke this way when I was in highschool.

[TheShrimpGod]

Anon was probably the best composer at his time 13th-14th century.

Edit: at the time I did not know what anon meant.

[kntlhata]

Miri it is while summer 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!

[littlebearandchicken]

Where I come from we actually speak the language that was later brought over to England as "old English". I speak "low Saxon". There are quite a few words in those old English songs that are almost 1 : 1 with my dialect, it's so cool. I can also take my dialect almost anywhere through Germany and if I speak slowly they'll understand me.

Our ancestors were much more connected than we are now. If we divided Europe by cultural groups our borders would be looking a lot different.

[magenta]

So beautiful and quite haunting as we hear the voices of our ancestors.

[CatholicConqueror]

Old, middle, and the English we use today all of them are good and sounds good

[behemoth]

The background is so beautiful it’s so like a medieval castle

[historystudent]

I love this song, especially as an American with ancestry dating back to medieval England. It’s so calming and relaxing, and brings me back to a previous time. It shows how people (particularly the peasants) found ways to enjoy the little things in life, such as the song of birds and the nice summer weather, despite the hardships they endured. The medieval ages are such a fascinating time period. 🏰

[gatorgaming]

Medieval english feels so awesome for some reason

[ashblack]

I can really relate. I love warm weather.

[katharinew]

Interesting history, thanks for the Info

[WoAiTuMadre]

The odd thing about Medieval English is that you feel like you understand it but in the same time your don't know what the fuck they're talking about

[GlebFedorov]

I would trade a lot to hear the rest of verses! Oh If they could be found’

[pensionlolita]

Con la llave de un.portal a la edad media este tema tiene una encantadora magia ❤

[fjashfcsahds]

I think if you speak German, Dutch and English like me you are going to love this song.

[fjashfcsahds]

The thing about this song that is most amazing is that the melody is original to the song and that it is like Beowulf, as it can also be found in only one manuscript.

[adityagrahayuda]

happysad find this wonderful channel, thank you