Sumer is icumen in

Ironic, given the weather this May Day.
This traditional round - known as the Reading rota because the manuscript comes from Reading Abbey - is thought by some to have been written by  W. de Wycombe, the precentor of Leominster Abbey and to date from the middle of the thirteen century. 
It is sung here by the Hilliard Ensemble 




Here, May is traditionally Mary's month:

Joy to thee, O Queen of Heaven. Alleluia!
He whom Thou wast meet to bear. Alleluia!
As He promised hath arisen. Alleluia!
Pour for us to God thy prayer. Alleluia!
V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia.
R. For the Lord is risen indeed, alleluia.
Let us pray:
O God, who through the resurrection of Thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ
didst vouchsafe to give joy to the world:
grant, we beseech thee, that through His Mother, the Virgin Mary,
we may obtain the joys of everlasting life.
Through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.