Autumn Songs

Autumn Song

by Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828-1882)

Autumn Music (1963) by Isabel McLaughlin (1903-2002)

Know'st thou not at the fall of the leaf

How the heart feels a languid grief

Laid on it for a covering,

And how sleep seems a goodly thing

In Autumn at the fall of the leaf?

And how the swift beat of the brain

Falters because it is in vain,

In Autumn at the fall of the leaf

Knowest thou not? and how the chief

Of joys seems--not to suffer pain?

 Know'st thou not at the fall of the leaf

 How the soul feels like a dried sheaf

 Bound up at length for harvesting,

And how death seems a comely thing   
In Autumn at the fall of the leaf?

Except for nature's glorious display of colour, this time of year -- with darkness falling ever earlier and colder weather descending, can seem rather depressing for some people.  No wonder then, that the poetry and music which has been inspired by it is often melancholic.

These two songs performed by Gordon Lightfoot on one of his earliest albums have been favourites of mine forever!  In fact, I dearly love the entire album Lightfoot! and have referred to it before in an earlier post. But I did not realize until very recently that this next song was not written by Lightfoot but by Phil Ochs. If you are not already familiar with the work of Phil Ochs I urge you to click on his name (which is highlighted) above the following video. The link will take you to a Wikipedia article about him.  I will admit, although I had heard of him, I was not aware of the range of his work or his lasting influence.

Changes / by Phil Ochs (sung by Gordon Lightfoot)

This song is so simple and pure.  It is a like a hymn of benediction.

Peaceful Waters / by Gordon Lightfoot

I have collected some very autumn looking scenes to make a collage from the

BBC's Robin Hood with Richard Armitage as Guy of Gisborne.

Guy of Gisborne, the character portrayed so realistically by Richard Armitage in the BBC's rather campy production of Robin Hood 2006-2009 undergoes his own fall from grace. Luckily he redeems himself in the end.

When You're Falling: a Guy of Gisborne (Richard Armitage) fanvideo / by Delicateblossomvideo

Many of us who have seen his work, have fallen for the talent and dedication to his craft, of Richard Armitage, (not to mention his amazing good looks) and even more amazingly the shy humbleness and good humoured generosity of his personality. Many fans came to know his work in Robin Hood as Guy of Gisborne. Even though he played a "bad guy" who struggled and failed to win the heart of Maid Marian, he was able to capture the hearts of many fans.

Falling Into You / by litteraes