1632.

Fredericus Menius. Syntagma de origine Livonorum.(p. 45)

This is the first ever published Latvian folksong. The original book, which is a thin, rather small format one (of course, it is printed!) can be found in the holdings of the National Library of Latvia.
As you see the author couldn't imagine a song without a meldy, so there are notes as well. Click on the image to hear what the melody is like. Click here to see a larger image.

The text is like this (somewhat transcribed)

Mane balte mamelit,
Dod man viene kakenit,
Man pelite piejukus
Pie ta sviesta bundelin'

Similar texts can be found in K. Barons' "Latvju Dainas" Vol. VI ("naughty songs") No. 34388. However there is no text exactly like this. Barons might have had no knowledge of this book.

 

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