Thoughts On the Crowning of the May Queen and May King in the Shire
Now come all ye hobbits, young lasses and lads,
Rise from your beds afore dawn,
Fond thoughts fill your hearts, for summer is come,
Join hands as we greet this May morn.
Let all those who toil take rest for one day,
Let warriors lay down their swords,
In glad celebration let us be joined
To seek sweet love’s rewards.
The sun shines down from clear blue skies
Warming every heart,
Maids wear garlands in their hair
Youths stand by, full smart.
Red and white roses are come into bud,
From hedgerows shy violet peeps
Primrose and cowslip abound in full bloom
Though yet sweet lily sleeps.
I’ll tell ye a tale about when I were young
When I walked out one merry May day,
Birds sang in trees new-clothed in green,
In meadows lambs did play.
There I set my eyes upon a maid
As fair as maid could be,
I gazed upon her lovely form
And bade her hear my plea:
“Oh pretty maid, come walk with me
As far as yonder brake.”
“Nay I will go my own way, sir,
And you your own must take.”
Think not I was defeated then,
Or walked away downhearted;
I swore to her my love was true
And we should ne’er be parted.
With honeyed words I wooed her then,
I slipped my hand in hers
And in a bower beneath the trees
She whispered “I’ll be yours”.
We sealed our union with a kiss
And soon she was my bride;
Learn from my tale, in trials of love
Be sure you’ve really tried!
Remember as we meet today
Our Queen and King to crown
Those who to us from time long past
This ritual handed down.
So gaily let the music sound
Eat, drink, and dance and sing;
Peace in the Shire for one more year
Long live our Queen and King!
