For Paul and Kathryn

This is from Gilbert & Sullivan's Ruddigore and it's one of my favorite of their madrigals.

(Rose Maybud)
When the buds are blossoming,
Smiling welcome to the spring,
Lovers choose a wedding day –
Life is love in merry May!
Life is love, life is love in merry May!

(Ensemble)
Spring is green –
Fa la la la la la la la!
Summer's rose –
Fa la la la la la la la!
It is sad when summer goes,
Fa la la la la la!
Fa la!

Autumn's gold,
Fa la la la la la la la!
Winter's grey,
Fa la la la la la la la!
Winter still is far away,
Far away —
Fa la la la la!
Fa la la la la la la!

Leaves in autumn fade and fall,
Winter is the end of all.
Spring and summer teem with glee:
Spring and summer, then, for me!

(Dame Hannah)
In the spring-time seed is sown:
In the summer grass is mown:
In the autumn you may reap:
Winter is the time for sleep,
Winter is the time for sleep.

(Ensemble)
Spring is hope –
Fa la la la la la la la!
Summer's joy –
Fa la la la la la la la!
Spring and summer never cloy.
Fa la la la la la!
Fa la!

Autumn, toil –
Fa la la la la la la la!
Winter, rest –
Fa la la la la la la la!
Winter, after all, is best,
After all –
Fa la la la la!
Fa la la la la la la!

Spring and summer pleasure you,
Autumn, aye, and winter too –
Every season has its cheer,
Life is lovely all the year!