Stephen Collins Foster:
(July 4, 1826 – January 13, 1864).
Known as “the father of American music”, was an American composer known primarily for his parlour and folk music during the Romantic period. He wrote more than 200 songs, including “Oh! Susanna”, “Hard Times Come Again No More”, “Camptown Races”, “Old Folks at Home” (“Swanee River”), “My Old Kentucky Home”, “Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair”, “Old Black Joe”, and “Beautiful Dreamer”. Many of his compositions remain popular today.
We roamed the fields and riversides when we were young and gay. We chased the bees and plucked the flowers in the merry, merry month of May.
“We roamed the fields and river sides,
When we were young and gay;
We chased the bees and plucked the flowers,
In the merry, merry month of May.”
Important points: it is therefore a ‘song’, not a proverb; the lines date from the 19th century; the imagery aligns with an older tradition in which “May” stands for: spring 🌱, youth 🌼, love 💛, cheerfulness ☀️. 👤 Author: Stephen Collins Foster (1826–1864).
He was an American composer and songwriter, known for, among others: “Oh! Susanna”, “Camptown Races”, “Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair”, “Beautiful Dreamer”. Dating: Song: “The Merry, Merry Month of May”. Published: 1862.
