WICKER MAN Folk Music

**Alfonso Casal** · 28th June 2002, 08:30 PM

One of my most beloved aspects of THE WICKER MAN is composer Paul Giovanni's use of traditional music. Here are some lyrics and a link to "Summer is a-Coming In," the song that closes the film as the Summerislanders complete their sacrifice. "Summer is a-Coming In" is probably the oldest known song in the English language. The earliest extant manuscript of the song dates to the late 1200s.

Here are the lyrics to the song, first in the 'original' Middle English (Sussex Dialect), then in a Modern English translation:

Middle English Text:
1.
Sumer is icumen in,
Lhude sing, cuccu!
Groweth sed and bloweth med
And springth the wude nu.
Sing, cuccu!
2.
Awe bleteth after lomb,
Lhouth after calve cu
Bulloc sterteth, bucke ferteth.
Murie sing, cuccu!
Cuccu, cuccu,
Wel singes thu, cuccu.
Ne swik thu naver nu!

Modern English Translation:
1.
Spring has come in
Loudly sing, cuckoo!
Grows the seed and blooms the meadow
And the woods springs now
Sing, cuckoo!
2.
The ewe bleats after the lamb
The calf lows after the cow
The bull leaps, the buck leaps, twisting.
Merrily sing, cuckoo!
Cuckoo, cuckoo,
Well sing you, cuckoo.
Nor cease you ever now!

And here is a link I found that has midi files of "Summer is a-Coming In." Complete with directions for genuine, Medieval 'round' singing.

SUMMER IS A-COMING IN

**Dave Hutchens** · 28th June 2002, 09:01 PM

I absolutely adore The Wicker Man soundtrack, and have been looking for it for some time.

As is so often the case, the music is an enormous contributor to the film's success.

**Alfonso Casal** · 28th June 2002, 10:47 PM

Quote:

I absolutely adore The Wicker Man soundtrack, and have been looking for it for some time.

Dave,

You're in luck! Guess what I found up for auction on Ebay? There are no less than three people selling it. Here's one of them:

WICKER MAN Soundtrack

**Dave Hutchens** · 30th June 2002, 05:22 AM

Oh, YEAH???

Great, Alfonso, thanks!

I'm on my way! :)

Skorpionn · 3rd July 2002, 01:38 AM

Sorry guys, after watching this film again - have to say I hate the music. Given a choice, I'd rather have no music instead of folk music. Then again, my taste is a little different than most. I was a total metal head in high school, and I haven't strayed much, just updated. One of my favorite popular bands right now is Godsmack, followed by System Of A Down, Disturbed, Korn - a long list follows these!! So, I guess it's an acquired taste (folk music), which I lack the palette for.:1roll:

**Jacob Remery** · 3rd July 2002, 09:32 AM

Quote:

So, I guess it's an acquired taste (folk music), which I lack the palette for.:1roll:

Well, i'm a full time metal head and i love the Wicker Man soundtrack.
I'm not into the the bands you mentioned. The metal i listen to is a bit more extreme. ;)

Ofcourse music is an acquired taste, just like any form of art.
Atleast there's one artist we all agree on: Christopher Lee. :)

On The Wicker Man mailing list there was talk about a new forthcoming release from The Wicker Man soundtrack.

Quote:

From tonyphillips6: To confirm: the soundtrack to The Wicker Man WILL be issued very,
very shortly on Silva Screen records. Please don't confuse this with
the Trunk recording that was basically a dub from an inferior "sound
and effects" tape. This is the genuine stereo tracks that were slated
for release once the film first surfaced back in 1973. Believed for
years to be lost (or even destroyed) this is the real thing that has
only recently come to light. I had a sneak listen recently and the
quality is remarkable. Of extra special interest is the full length
unedited versions of "Gently Johnny", "Willow's Song" and "The Tinker
of Rye".

Nothing was mentioned yet on the silva screen website yet.
But it sure is something to look forward too.
Possible release might be in September.
:1roll:

**Joakim Lundberg** · 3rd July 2002, 04:18 PM

I listen to a lot of folk music songs (Swedish songs). Mainly just male choral songs. I think "The Wicker Man" has some of most wonderful music. Especially in the beginning. Just a few tones and this wonderful singer begins to sing in Scottish. Wonderful song.

Old Soul · 3rd July 2002, 08:56 PM

Some of the music in the Wicker Man I enjoyed very much. But it wasn

Carmen and Greg · 4th July 2002, 03:01 AM

Jacob:

How cool is this news! I, like you, have been waiting for the full length sound track minus the film background sounds (like the plane). This is excellent!

I love the CD I have, and love Paul Giovanni's style. I too generally do not like folk music, but this man had such a way with these traditional songs...it is sublime.

Thanks for the new info. Let's hope this will really happen!

Carm

Dave...I also found my copy on ebay. I think it's the only way.