Mirie it is - 2023 Bardic Competition
I sang "Miri(e) it is while sumer ilast" for the 2023 Bardic Competition at Mag Mor's Yule Court (December 2023). "Miri(e)" is the oldest known secular song in English. You can read more about the history of the song, the interpretation of the notes, and the Modern English translation here: https://earlymusicmuse.com/mirie-it-is-while-sumer-ilast/. I used the Early Music Muse by Ian Pittaway for the lyrics, pronunciations, and sound. I sang the original Middle English verse, then sang the Modern English version followed by a second verse I wrote. Here is what I sang: Original: [M]Irie it is while sumer ilast with fugheles song oc nu necheth windes blast and weder strong. Ei ei what this nicht is long And ich with wel michel wrong. Soregh and murne and [fast]. Translation of Original: Merry life it is while the summer it lasts with sound of bird song. Oh but now the cold wind blasts, it blows so strong. Oh, oh, but this night is long And it does to
