Wednesday, September 4, 2013

apple tree lean down

This evening, with our apple tree outside still leaning heavily with its apples, I suddenly thought of Ralph Vaughan Williams' beautiful Linden Lea.  Do you know it?

Within the woodlands, flowery gladed, 
By the oak tree's mossy moot, 
The shining grass-blades, timber-shaded, 
Now do quiver under foot; 
And birds do whistle overhead, 
And water's bubbling in its bed, 
And there for me the apple tree 
Do lean down low in Linden Lea. 

When leaves that lately were a-springing 
Now do fade within the copse, 
And painted birds do hush their singing 
Up upon the timber tops; 
And brown-leaved fruit's a-turning red, 
In cloudless sunshine, overhead, 
With fruit for me, the apple tree 
Do lean down low in Linden Lea. 

Let other folk make money faster 
In the air of dark-roomed towns, 
I don't dread a peevish master; 
Though no man do heed my frowns, 
I be free to go abroad, 
Or take again my homeward road 
To where, for me, the apple tree 
Do lean down low in Linden Lea.



3 comments:

  1. What a beautiful poem! And, just the kind I like, old fashioned, rhyming and rhythmic. : )

    Those are some lovely looking apples. ♥

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    Replies
    1. It's a song, Susan - listen to it! Ian Bostridge sings terrific!

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  2. September is the time for apples! Enjoy the applesauce and apple butter that will come from these!

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