The Every-day Book and Table Book. v. 2 (of 3) / or Everlasting Calendar of Popular Amusements, Sports, Pastimes, Ceremonies, Manners, Customs and Events, Incident to Each of the Three Hundred and Sixty-five Days, in past and Present Times; Forming a Complete History of the Year, Month, and Seasons, and a Perpetual Key to the Almanac

by William Hone

The Mayer’s Call.

Come, lads, with your bills,
To the wood we’ll away,
We’ll gather the boughs,
And we’ll celebrate May.

We’ll bring our load home,
As we’ve oft done before,
And leave a green bough,

At each good master’s
At each good neighbour’s
At each pretty maid’s

} door.

We’ll bring our load home,
As we’ve oft done before,
And leave a green bough,
At each good master’s door.
At each good neighbour’s door.
At each pretty maid’s door.

To-morrow, when work’s done,
I hold it no wrong,
If we go round in ribands,
And sing them a song.

Come, lads, bring your bills,
To the wood we’ll away,
We’ll gather the boughs,
And we’ll celebrate May.

There is a rural ditty chanted in villages and country towns, preparatory to gathering the May:—

The May Eve Song.