When All Men Sing ...

If you follow this link:
When All Men Sing
you'll hear my friend, Mike Nicholson, performing this rousing anthem recorded on his splendid CD, Stone by Stone.

His delightful wife, Barbara, (perhaps without Mike’s knowledge,) gave me permission to post this. Mike has a gentle giant of a voice and I have the impression he truly believes every word he sings.

Singing with Mike are:
Hilary Spencer
Derek Gifford
and a trio of Petes:
Pete Collins
Pete Luscombe
Pete Watkinson

These are the words Keith Scowcroft. Tune is by Derek Gifford.

WHEN ALL MEN SING

When snows transform the hedgerow thorn,
And frosting guilds the berry,
Good men and true the firelogs hew,
Then in the inns make merry.
Then singing all as with one voice,
It seems the very walls rejoice,
And merriment about doth spring:
When all men sing.

Chorus:
Let every man so pitch his song,
To help his neighbour sing along,
To each and all contentment bring,
When all men sing.

When lambs are seen and trees spring green,
And comes in bloom the daisies,
For winters end our thanks we'll send,
At Easter time sing praises.
Then with a will, yea one accord,
We'll raise our voices to the Lord,
And praise above the heavenly King: when all men sing.
Chorus.

When in the field a scythe thee wield,
Then hear his summer sound,
As man and boy their lungs employ,
The songs they echo round.
Rebound from hill and roof and spire,
Starting lowly building higher,
So surely then his scythe doth swing: when all men sing.
Chorus.

When leaves they fall from elm trees tall,
Then every back must bend,
As young and old with courage bold,
Their efforts they expend.
Ensuring autumn's gifts are stowed,
Afore cold winter's wind is blowed,
Then comes an end to foraging: when all men sing.
Chorus.

Hear songs in season every year:
Some voices sweet and others strong,
Gently round ascending,
With harmonies a-blending.
If unison accords the song,
Uplifting beams of inn or hall,
And shaking plaster from the wall: when all men sing.
Chorus.

Very many thanks, Mike for lending this to us. Mike assures me that the CD is still available. Buy one before you die! I have his contact details for those interested.