WELCOME SOMER​

Now welcome, somer, with thy sonne softe,
That hast this wintres wedres overshake,
And driven away the longe nyghtes blake!
Saynt Valentyn, that art ful hy on-lofte,
Thus syngen smale foules for thy sake:
Now welcome, somer, with thy sonne softe,
That hast this wintres wedres overshake.
Wel han they cause for to gladen ofte,
Sith ech of hem recovered hath hys make;
Ful blissful mowe they synge when they wake:
Now welcome, somer, with thy sonne softe
That hast this wintres wedres overshake
And driven away the longe nyghtes Blake!

PRONUNCIATION

Now – pronounced ‘Noo’
somer – so+mer
sonne – soon+a
overshake and blake – same vowel sound like ‘black’
away – a+why
nyghtes – like the German word ‘nicht’ + ‘es’
Valentyn – V alen + teen
f oules – fool+es
sake, make, wake – rhyming – same sound as black

TRANSLATION

“Welcome, summer, with sunshine soft,
The winter’s tempest you will break,
And drive away the long nights black!
Saint Valentine, throned aloft,
Thus little birds sing for your sake:
Welcome, summer, with sunshine soft,
The winter’s tempest you will shake!
Good cause have they to glad them oft,
His own true-love each bird will take;
Blithe may they sing when they awake,
Welcome, summer, with sunshine soft,
The winter’s tempest you will break,
And drive away the long nights black! ”