IN FOLK SONGS 123 



before the houses of the chief citizens and 

 the shops of the sellers of eatables, and 

 accept in return gifts of money and of food. 

 To these same pretty songs we trace our 

 own gift-giving customs of the New Year, 

 the Easter, and the May time. 



The children of Albania, the country lying 

 along the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea, 

 beg the swallow for good tidings to cheer 

 them after the dreary winter, and she tells 

 them to go out into the bright sunshine and 

 there they will find happiness : — 



Welcome March, mild month and storniy, 

 Bringing sunshine with the rain, 

 Bringing flowers to fill the meadows. 

 Bringing mountain snows again. 



O Lady Swallow, Lady Swallow, 

 Dancing there upon that beam. 

 If you have some news to tell me, 

 Tell, that I may happier seem. 



— " O wretched youth, the news I bring 

 Is posted far and near — 

 Happiness is out of doors. 

 And the sea is calm and clear." 



