All in a garden green two lovers sat a ease

All in a garden green
two lovers sat a ease
As they could scarce be seen
Among a mong the leafy trees
They long had lov’d yfore
And no longer than truly
In that time of the year
In that time of the year
Cometh twixt May and July

Quoth he „Most lovely maid
My troth shall aye endure
And be not thou afraid
But rest thee still secure

That I will love thee long
As life in me shall last
Now I am young and strong
And when my youth is past

When I am grey and old
And then must stoop to age
I’ll love thee twenty fold
My troth I here engage

She heard with joy the youth
When he thus far had gone
She trusted in his truth
And loving he went on

Yonder thou see’st the sun
Shine in the sky so bright
And when this day is done
Then cometh the dark night

No sooner night is not
But he returns alway
And shines as bright and hot
As on this gladsome day

He is no older now
Than when he first was born
Age cannot make him bow
He laughs old Time to scorn

My love shall be the same
It never shall decay
But shine without all blame
Though body turn to clay

She listened to his song
And heard it with a smile
And innocent as young
She dreamed not of guile

No guile he meant I ween
For he was true as steel
As was there after seen
When she made him her weal

Full soon both two were wed
And these most faithful lovers
May serve at board at bed
Example to all others

CHAPPELL –  From William Ballet’s Lute Book (1580)
in: John Hullah: The Song Book, Words and Tunes from the Best Poets and Musicians (1866, S. 124)
John Hullah:  Professor of Vocal Music in King’s College London

Video:

Zur Geschichte dieses Liedes:

Im Krug zum grünen Kranze (Deutscher Schulverein Nr. 64) Zwei Jahre nach den Karlsbader Beschlüssen, in deren Folge Fürst Metternich ein Unterdrückungsregime in den deutschen Landen installierte, schrieb der damals 27jährige Wilhelm Müller das Gedicht „Brüderschaft“, das heute unter dem Titel „Im Krug zum grünen Kranze“ bekannt ist. Mindestens seit 1833 wird das Lied auf eine Melodie gesungen, die ... weiter lesen...