Who invented the first song

Who devised the first song,

that into the air did resound?

Spring found it in the balmy night,

filling hearts with joy.

He sang it first in the lilacs

and the rhythm puls'd to it:

O May! the time of love-dreams,

what is as sweet as you!

Then, little gnats and beetles came,

Forest birds marked the tune,

they practiced the style,

and by thousandfold;

they carried it thru' the heavens

and in all the forest is peace:

O Maytime joy, o time of love-dreams,

what is as sweet as you!

The nightingale sang to me by the brook,

and a sweet sadness o'er came me!

Now, the song follows me everywhere

through the air and snow-white blooms.

From the lilacs I gather a bouquet

and I always sing:

O Maytime, o time of love-dreams,

what is as sweet as you!