Song of the Day - 16th March

Continuing the Spring theme, as the days get longer and begin to get warmer, today's song of the day is another spring poem by John Clare called "'Tis Spring, my Love, 'Tis Spring".

The theme of this poem is that Spring time, whilst lovely and described in great detail, is not so fine or beauteous as the poet's beloved. 

From Helpston in rural Northamptonshire, John Clare was born in 1793. He is now regarded as the most important poet of the natural world from Britain. He wrote many poems, prose and letters about love, sex, corruption and politics, environmental and social change, poverty and folk life. Even in his 'madness', his talents were not diminished. Ronald Blythe, past President of the Clare Society, saw Clare as "... England's most articulate village voice". Clare died, aged 71, in 1864.

This song is being beta tested by my friends at Burgess Hill Choral Society.

'Tis Spring, My Love, 'Tis Spring

By John Clare

'Tis Spring, my love, 'tis Spring,

And the birds begin to sing:

If 'twas Winter, left alone with you,

Your bonny form and face

Would make a Summer place,

And be the finest flower that ever grew.

‘Tis Spring, my love, 'tis Spring,

And the hazel catkins hing,

While the snowdrop has its little blebs of dew;

But that's not so white within

As your bosom's hidden skin--

That sweetest of all flowers that ever grew.

The sun arose from bed,

All strewn with roses red,

But the brightest and the loveliest crimson place

Is not so fresh and fair,

Or so sweet beyond compare,

As thy blushing, ever smiling, happy face.

I love Spring's early flowers,

And their bloom in its first hours,

But they never half so bright or lovely seem

As the blithe and happy grace

Of my darling's blushing face,

And the happiness of love's young dream.