A Branch of May

This May Day song scored for four-part male voices begins almost like a prayer, and then suddenly, over a very lively piano accompaniment, the tempo picks up as the text moves from a prayer-like tone to one of celebration. "Awake oh pretty Maid, out of your drowsy dream... for the Lord knows where we shall meet again to be maying another year." The mixed meter throughout enhances both the text and the music.