To-day, to-day is the first of May
The springtime of the year
And if you please on another day
We’ll taste of your strong beer.
And if strong beer you have not got
We’ll be content with small,
We’ll pledge thee will against that day
And give God thanks for all.
A branch of May I have you brought
And at your door it stands,
It is but a sprout, but it’s well budded out,
It is the work of our Lord’s hands.
See our Maypole filled with flowers,
From above, the blossoms tower,
Fragrance rich, and perfume rare,
Pretty scents that fill the air.
Violets blue and daisies white,
You are here for our delight;
Daffodils and roses, too,
Pretty flow'rs for me and you!
Tell us what the flowers say,
As we sing and dance and play.
Tell us what the flowers say,
On this special day!
This is what the flowers say,
As we sing and dance and play.
This is what the flowers say:
It is bright May day!
Arise, arise, you pretty fair maids
And view your may so gay
Or else you’ll say on another day
We brought you not your may.
I have a purse in my pocket
Tied with a silken string,
We’ll thank you for some silver
To line it well within.
Winter so drear must disappear,
Fair days are coming for you and for me.
We, of the old world, building the New,
Ours is the will and the power to do;
Then let us sing, hail to the Spring–
Hail to the Day we can strike to be free!
Banner so red, high overhead,
Hated and feared by the powers that be!
In every land firmly we stand;
Men of all nations who labor are we.
Under one banner, standing as one,
Claiming the earth and our place in the sun.
Then let us sing, hail to the Spring–
Hail to the Day we can strike to be free!
O, Labor Day, O, First of May,
Warm with the gleam of the bright days to be!
Join in the throng, fearless and strong–
One mighty Union of world industry.
Shoulder to shoulder, each in his place,
Ours is the hope of the whole human race.
Then let us sing, hail to the Spring–
Hail to the Day we can strike to be free!
