Wednesday, May 01, 2013

May Day

Dave and I have just been up Longstone Edge to welcome in the May.

We drove past the village shop where Nick was sorting out the papers for delivery. At noon today, the village will be crammed into the church for his sister Christine’s funeral, who died two weeks ago.

We always aim to be at the top of Longstone Edge before dawn, but it was 5.30, and light, and the birds were singing, though the sun was still below the horizon.

We stood on the edge of the hill and listened to the birds for several minutes, then we sang a traditional May Day song – Hal an Tow, with the chorus–

Hal an tow, jolly rumbalo
We were up long before the day o
To welcome in the summer
To welcome in the may o
For summer is a comin in
And winter's gone away o
I broke down in the first chorus and Dave continued alone. I joined in with the next verse and managed to sing to the end.
Dave asked me why I cried, and I said “Because we don’t know what the summer will bring.”  
And he said, “We never know what the summer will bring.” 
Here’s a rainbow over Longstone Edge from another day, another year, another spring:
apr06 017 

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sue: Dave is right, we never know what is coming. Tomorrow is the anniversary of my son's sudden and totally unexpected death. He was 24 and died while singing with his band. I can never quite forget that he went out that evening to rehearse for a gig and never made it home. But it's like that for all of us...who knows what might happen and when. Don't get caught up in the fear of what might (or might not) be ... you'll miss the joy that is already here.

Tell Dave I miss his blog and wish he'd reinstate it...

Sue Hepworth said...

Thank you for reminding me of this. I am so sorry that you lost your son.
Usually I am a cheerful optimistic person, and today the sun has been shining. It's only lately I have been besieged by gloomy thoughts, but I will conquer them.

Sue Hepworth said...

p.s. and I will tell Dave you miss his blog. He is, however, implacable/resolute/bloody-minded once he takes a stand.

Anonymous said...

Well, I suppose he wouldn't be Dave if he was easily swayed...(shame though...)

I'm sorry for being anonymous - nothing to hide, I just can't find a way to post that doesn't involve a website or a blog! I have neither...

Sue Hepworth said...

One way round it is to put your name inside the comment box. Try.

Anonymous said...

Clever thinking...

Chris

Sue Hepworth said...

Hi, Chris.

Anonymous said...

It's not me though.

Chris

Sue Hepworth said...

I knew it wasn't you. But if you are the you I am thinking of I wanted to say we saw Clifton Suspension bridge last week, and I was amazed that it is higher off the water than the Golden Gate Bridge. Did you know? It's also much scarier to look from.

Sue Hepworth said...

Sorry, Chris (the last one) I somehow lost your comment saying you missed dave's blog bit I've said it now - reported speech.

Sue Hepworth said...

that should have said "but" not "bit". I must learn to wear my correct specs when typing.

Megan said...

Sorry that things remain so hard. xx

Sue Hepworth said...

Thanks, Megan. Today was good. The sun shone all day.