It's May, the lusty month of May

[Kevin]

Is it any wonder why registration starts today?

The lyrics take a darker turn in the context of Lust.

Tra la, it’s May, the lusty Month of May
That lovely month when everyone goes blissfully astray
Tra la, it’s here, that shocking time of year
When tons of wicked little thoughts merrily appear

It’s May, It’s May, that gorgeous holiday
When every maiden prays that her lad will be a cad
It’s mad, it’s gay, a libelous display
Those dreary vows that everyone takes, everyone breaks
Everyone makes divine mistakes
The Lusty Month of May

Whence this fragrance wafting through the air?
What sweet feelings does it’s scent transmute?
Whence this perfume floating everywhere?
Don’t you know, it’s that dear forbidden fruit

It’s May, the lusty month of May
That darling month when everyone throws self-control away
It’s time to do a wretched thing or two
And try to make each precious day one you’ll always rue

It’s May, it’s May, the month of “Yes, you may”
The time for every frivolous whim, proper or im-
It’s wild, it’s gay, depraved in every way
The birds and bees with all of their vast amorous past
Gaze at the human race aghast
The Lusty Month of May

Tra la, it’s May, the lusty Month of May
That lovely month when everyone goes blissfully astray
Tra la, it’s here, that shocking time of year
When tons of wicked little thoughts merrily appear

It’s May, it’s may, the month of great dismay
when all the world is brimming with fun, wholesome or un-
It’s mad, it’s gay, a libelous display
Those dreary vows that everyone takes, everyone breaks
Everyone makes divine mistakes
The Lusty Month of May

[Alecia Steiner]

Great observation! Very apropos!

[Haley Wilde]

Oh man, you’re on to something here

[Max Z]

I looked into it a little and May 1st actually has kind of a lot going on.

Firstly, “May day” is the commemoration of the Haymarket Massacre, where a bomb got set off and caused a huge violent frenzy when a bunch of people were protesting in favor of the 8 hour workday, instead of the 27 hour workday they were forced to endure previously.

But then there’s also ancient and medieval ancient rituals associated with May 1st, and they are all indeed centered around the theme of…lust! *cue MyHauntLife sound effect* It originally started as a holiday called Floralia, and is a holiday in honor of fertility and copulation!

Jonathan Coulton even has a song called “First of May” in which it’s proclaimed that “it’s the first of May, first of may, outdoor fucking starts today”, which he claims is based on a schoolyard rhyme that was so old his grandfather knew it.

So we’ve got at least two themes on May 1st: brutal corporate-driven practices, and sexuality. I was mostly just researching out of boredom, but that actually is kinda apropos.

But honestly if I had to pick one answer, I love the song you posted the lyrics to and would prefer to believe that whoever’s running this registration is just a huge fan of musical theater. Maybe the “Camelot” OBC Soundtrack will be playing on the speakers in the waiting room tomorrow.

[Kyle Bown]

For those who don’t know it, I’m just going to leave this hear…
First of May – Jonathan Coulton

[Author]

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