Sara
Coleridge, Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s daughter, grew up at Keswick in the Lake
District with the Coleridges extended family and their close neighbours the
Wordsworths at Grasmere, … was an English author and translator … who wrote the
poem: “January Brings the Snow”.
I’ve
always thought this is such a good way to start the year …
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| February's Violet |
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| April's Sweetpea |
Freezing
wet December, then
Bloody January again!
Bloody January again!
January
brings the snow,
Makes your feet and fingers glow.
February's ice and sleet
Freeze the toes tight off your feet.
Welcome March with wintry wind
Would thou wert not so unkind!
April brings the sweet spring showers,
On and on for hours and hours.
Farmers fear unkindly May
Frost by night and hail by day.
June just rains and never stops
Thirty days and spoils the crops.
In July the sun is hot.
Is it shining? No, it's not.
August, cold and dank and wet,
Brings more rain than any yet.
Bleak September's mist and mud
Is enough to chill the blood.
Then October adds a gale,
Wind and slush and rain and hail.
Dark November brings the fog
Should not do it to a dog.
Freezing wet December, then
Bloody January again!
Makes your feet and fingers glow.
February's ice and sleet
Freeze the toes tight off your feet.
Welcome March with wintry wind
Would thou wert not so unkind!
April brings the sweet spring showers,
On and on for hours and hours.
Farmers fear unkindly May
Frost by night and hail by day.
June just rains and never stops
Thirty days and spoils the crops.
In July the sun is hot.
Is it shining? No, it's not.
August, cold and dank and wet,
Brings more rain than any yet.
Bleak September's mist and mud
Is enough to chill the blood.
Then October adds a gale,
Wind and slush and rain and hail.
Dark November brings the fog
Should not do it to a dog.
Freezing wet December, then
Bloody January again!
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| July Delphiniums |
Sara
Coleridge’s original is more gentle, more genteel … and was a children’s verse
entitled “A Calendar” …
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| Works Project Administration Poster - 'Back to Books' |
It
seems that recently her works have been collected and edited by Dr Peter Swaab
of University College London, who has after 150 years of waiting given us an
opportunity to appreciate her work …
January brings the snow;
Makes our feet and fingers glow.
February brings the rain;
Thaws the frozen pond again.
March brings the wind so cold and chill
Drives the cattle from the hill.
April brings us sun and showers,
And the pretty wildwood flowers.
May brings grass and leafy trees,
Waving in each gentle breeze
June brings roses, fresh and fair,
And the cherries ripe and rare.
July brings the greatest heat,
Cloudless skies and dusty street.
August brings the golden grain:
Harvest time is here again.
Mild September brings us more,
Fruit and grain for winter store.
Brown October brings the last
Of ripening gifts, from summer past.
Dull November brings the blast:
Down from the trees the leaves fall fast.
Cold December ends the rhyme
With blazing fires and Christmas time.
I particularly like the last
verse … Cold December was, I hope, for you all a time of blazing fires and Christmas
time … warmth emanating from the family hearth.
The Guardian – New Sara ColeridgePoems uncovered
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| Pearl for June: Pearl Tiara of Empress Eugenie (1853) featuring 212 natural pearls - in the Louvre |
I don’t wish the year away anyway
remotely … but away with grey skies and onto April sun and showers, driving
open the wildwood flowers will be wonderful … once we’ve marched past February
and March …
Let’s head into those months full
of hope and expectation for a good year …
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational
Stories
70 comments:
It is so cold here that if you throw a glass of water in the air, it will come down as snow. -20C this morning makes it a nice day to play in the kitchen. I enjoy her poem it gently addresses the land.
"January brings the snow" is very prophetic - where I live, we're supposed to get a couple more inches today and tomorrow! Hope you had a happy holiday season, and Happy New year, Hilary!
I suppose if I lived up North my months would be like that, but here in Florida the weather is usually hot year-round. HAHA!
Ha, ha, ha -- the original is very optimistic, but I think I prefer the parody overall. Gave me a good laugh for a Monday morning!
I like both versions.
The parody kind of fits our weather here for the past twelve months. But like you, without wishing away the year, I long for spring and some warm breezes.
You guys over there on that island would be sooo bored here in our desert mountain canyon where the sun shines just about ALL THE TIME! I enjoyed both versions of the poem, Happy New Year, my friend.
How fun!
I can tell that the weather doesn't change much even in the summer months!
We have snow and ice in abundance here in Montreal Hilary, but we also have lots of sunshine, luckily. The colder it gets (at the moment -14 C, feels like -25 C) the more the sun shines.
It's been a while since we've seen sunshine. I prefer warm sunny weather, but that's not where I live. I like the poems. Says what I feel.
@ OOTP – oh gosh that is cold .. and is one of those years – I do not like them! – 20 degF … and I’m sure playing in the kitchen is much more fun after that quick photographic trip out for us …
@ Julie – good to see you – thank you for your wishes … it used to snow a lot in January here, but times have changed a little … and hope you’re geared up for that extra snow …
@ Chrys – well I’m on my way over! But I’m glad I’m back living with seasonal weather … always a post to write!
@ Dianne – I hadn’t been aware of the original .. so was quite glad to find it and the fact her poetry had been collated .. but I do love Flanders and Swann … and they’re always good for a laugh …
@ Alex – yes .. both are good aren’t they …
@ Susan – I love the way they sing the song … they come across as so cynical .. it’s glorious to listen to!! The days are longer now … and will catch us up quite quickly … I prefer it somewhat lighter and warmer – like you.
@ Inger – yes I suffered that boredom in South Africa – but it can get mighty cold up in Johannesburg .. but I longed for gentle rain on my return .. we had a hot summer! Glad you enjoyed both versions …
@ Rosaria – they are fun to listen to … but thankfully our weather does change a bit …
@ Beste – I was with some friends today and overheard the few ahead of me talk about snow and freezing weather in Canada – I’d rather be here!! And sunshine does seem to make it colder somehow … not sure how that happens!!
@ Teresa – we’ve had sun .. but gloom too … and I prefer the sunny shines and warm breezes … and the poems do say it as it is for each month don’t they …
Cheers to you all … we’re on the way to lighter, warmer days … here’s to them!! Hilary
The parody is really funny.
I could listen to Flanders and Swann for hours.
I really liked the poems. For me January is so hot. But I always think of snow as beautiful and romantic. Have a fantastic 2015.
Whilst the first poem is harsh, it's much more humourous. Welcome back. I hope you had a wonderful break!
The second one is definitely more upbeat and positive! The first one made me feel a little depressed actually. I think he must have been in a dark mood when he wrote it. I'm enjoying a gorgeous warm and sunny January in Guatemala, and feeling a bit guilty about it while friends and family are dealing with freezing winter weather. It was about 3 years ago that I posted on Facebook how I was afraid of winter and wanted to move somewhere warm. It was kind of tongue in cheek but then it actually happened! I don't miss winter as it always depressed me, being indoors so much and feeling cold all the time. I'd basically just burrow in and wait it out, like a hibernating bear.
I preferred the second as the first was a bit depressing, but I get the idea. We've had horrible weather -- lots of gloomy days and then rain, gloom again and then rain. But today is glorious and maybe that's the way it works...just when I think I can't take another cloudy day, the sun pops up and makes me feel like dancing:~)
Happy New Year to you, Hilary:~)
And of course the seasonal sequencing will somewhat altered in other places, such as the American South, or completely switched around, as it would be in South Africa or Australia.
So far we have not been hit by harsh weather, thank God.
I hope that the weather is fair and comfy where ever you are, Hilary.
Hope that the new year brings for you a lot of joy like you bring with your postings with so much painstaking and hard work... Amein.
Those poems are great. The first one had me in stitches. No weather love there!
I didn't know Coleridge had a daughter. I'm glad she's getting some attention at long last. I've always felt sorry for Wordsworth's sister.
Love,
Janie
I love Flanders & Swann - brilliant humour. I hope you're keeping warm and safe this winter.
We love to hear the English use the word bloody in speech and literature. The poem is a circle of life and takes us back to where we began. I do like the second one much better.
I enjoyed both versions And that sweet little pearl crown, I would wear!
Indeed the second is gentler - rolls of the tongue a little easier. I enjoyed them both.
What a lovely way to start the New Year. Thanks for sharing. Cheers, Jenny xo
January brings the sun - bring on the beach, it's summer down under.
@ Diane – I love their songs and parodies … and as Bob below you says …
@ Bob - I could too .. they are just so amusing and quite delightful catchy tunes …
@ Murees – you’re in the south and it can be so hot down in SA, and yes the snow is a happy thought at times …
@ Clarissa – they were just two clever song and wordsmiths … and good to see you too …
@ Karen – I prefer the first .. but I just love their way of putting things across, and perhaps have a different ‘take’ being British.
Lucky you – I often think of you both in your new abode … sunny, light and airy. Lucky you – and congratulations on making that break away to live a simpler life.
I enjoy your description of the hibernating bear and waiting the winter out – thankfully we don’t often have to do that .. nor do you now.
@ Sara – oh dear ..the first one is so so British. Have you had lousy weather … ours has been unseasonably warm … but as you say the sun pops out when we’re least expecting it and makes us want to dance around .. thanks for your wishes.
@ Mike – yes it’s all dependent on where we are in the world .. but this really is such a British song, performed by people who made us laugh after the war and in the austere years afterwards … our weather and pessimism go hand in hand at time!
@ Munir – you’re lucky .. as you say so far. Thank you for your thoughts and am so pleased you enjoy the posts and content …
@ Holly – good to see you … glad you laughed at the first one … they do so amuse – cynically … and our weather can be like that.
@ Janie – blogging does encourage us to find things out .. I’m pleased to say. Sadly it was the way things were … the men got the credit even if it was the women who actually put the puzzle together … Dorothy, Sara, Caroline Herschel, Mary Anning and many others …
@ Ian – glad I brought back some British memories for you with Flanders and Swann’s brilliant humour .. they were so clever. Warm and safe so far – thank you.
@ Stephen – used appropriately as here … I’m happy – but for the sake of it .. not so much. Sara’s words are clever aren’t they … and I’m glad I printed up both …
@ Paula – they are amusing poems … and hadn’t realised where the Flanders and Swann song had come from. The pearl crown: isn’t it exquisite .. I had to put it in ..
@ Jenny – they are both fun … but I love the Flanders and Swann way of putting things across, and their music always comes to mind as they sing the words … clever emphasis.
@ Rhonda - yes for you - January brings the sun ...
Thanks everyone – seems a good way of starting 2015 … and I shall be able to come back and find the song easily! Cheers and let’s have a fun year ahead .. Hilary
What a lovely post! I loved stopping to think about each month and the weather that is on our way. I try not to wish away the days, but I do sometimes wish away the weather. I like it best when days are lighter and longer and it isn't sooooo cold. Sunshine always makes me feel better!
Thanks for sharing both versions!
~Jess
WOW. What a great post. I love it! You ALWAYS make me smile. Thanks, Hil. I LOVE both. I wouldn't be able to choose between them. Hope and expectation.... xoxoxoxo
Blazing fires at Christmas Time does sound lovely and inviting. :) This cold weather we have right now (it was five degrees this morning) could ease up a bit and I wouldn't be sad. :)
I think nothing its anymore, the weather turns crazy ! We had summer in November and winter in May, the weathermen are always wrong, it's snows in areas where it had never snowed and it is hot in others where it is supposed to be cold ! The best weathermen are my cats ! When they wash behind their ears I can be sure it will rain in the next days !
i was surprised most by the first description of august. our augusts are blazing hot, dry as a bone, browned out. :)
What a lovely poem. Here's to a wonderful 2015 for all of us! :)
Beautiful poem. You evoke a sense of time and place very well. I enjoyed reading this.
cool verse....
january is starting a rather cold one for us...
if it is cold i would at least like some snow but that wont happen
for another month i imagine....
As you know, it's not cold where we are. Tho, I am occasionally cold. I love the last line too. Blazing fires. Wouldn't want one here. In fact, if I'm honest, I don't care if I ever see snow again. Happy New Year, Hilary. Blessings to you and your family.
In Australia, I'd guess it would go something like this:
January brings HOT WEATHER
February brings HOT WEATHER
March brings HOT and maybe NOT QUITE SO HOT weather
April brings WARM WEATHER
May brings SPRING WEATHER but with some RAIN AND COOLER WEATHER
June brings SPRING WEATHER / COOL/COLD WEATHER
July brings COLD WEATHER with some sunny days/storms
August brings COLD WEATHER with some sunny days/storms
September brings SPRING WEATHER with some rain/storms
October brings SPRING WEATHER with some rain/storms
November brings SPRING WEATHER/HOT WEATHER/storms
December brings HOT WEATHER
Very nice to contemplate for the New Year, Hilary. I relate to August the most, "August brings the golden grain: Harvest time is here again." Because it reminds me so much of Eastern Washington's bread basket, the Palouse where I recently moved from. They produce wheat that is made into pasta. It's very beautiful in August just before harvest. Think amber waves of gold. And then those giant combines appear (which I rode in once). Pretty awesome to see. I'll have to redefine August in the desert where I now live. Should be interesting. There is beauty here too. Happy New Year and all the best to you and your family!
I am expecting a good new year for both you and I - and all our readers!
Whereas the rest of the USA is freezing we are in the 50s and my bulbs are coming up - Yesterday was flooding rains, what crazy weather we are having
Happiest of New Years to all and thank you for sharing this good post
You have such an interesting blog. Thanks for sharing, I enjoyed reading your posts. All the best for your future blogging journey.
Love the snow pic and can't wait for all the season and holidays of the new year!
@ Karen – it’s a fun poem to read, with so much truth in it and then when sung by the Flanders and Swann team just rumbles into a delightful ditty ..
@ Jess – each of the verses tells us what to remember or what to expect .. and yes I try not to wish the days away .. but when it’s lighter longer and the sun shines .. life is pleasant.
@ Robyn – the verses are true aren’t they .. well certainly used to be .. and I love the music version .. those guys always make me smile …
@ Rosey – there’s nothing like a blazing fire is there … your cold weather will pass … we haven’t really had any yet … but it can appear …
@ Gattina – the weather is delightfully fickle and we’re never sure what’s happening … I watch ours and of think of you across the Channel …
@ TWG – remember this is England and the Flanders and Swann songs can be satirical … and our August can be awful at times … though as Sara Coleridge’s says Harvest appears early … as in 2014 here. The weather has always been fickle …
@ Christine – glad you enjoyed it .. your son might well enjoy it too ..
@ Debi – thanks … I’d had this ready for last year … so glad I eventually got it up …
@ Brian – oh January can be very cold here .. in fact when I was growing up .. I’d say it was the coldest month … but now-a-days it’s not so bad. Your snow arrives in February .. something (not) to look forward to!
@ Joylene – well Cluculz always had lots of wonderful snow and ice … so now Mexico seems a better idea … but I suspect you’ll be seeing snow and ice again – you can’t really help it with the family in Canada!
@ Trisha – yes Australia does have hot, hot, hot weather and a bad dose of it at the moment … I am glad I’m back here, where the weather changes!
@ Sharon – harvest time is a gorgeous time of year .. as you say golden grain … and amber waves – the landscape here is always amazing – how fun to ride in one of the enormous combines. Oh yes, beauty in the desert definitely abounds too .. just a different take on life …
@ Patricia – well that’s good to know … your continent does have its ups and downs … our bulbs are appearing too – but it’s really too warm. Still we never know what the jet stream is doing, which affects us both …
@ Sridhar – glad you enjoyed the post … and yes, our blogging journeys – they wander along, but are fun …
@ Tammy – that peaceful snow scene … and I can’t wait for a warmer time .. but I don’t want to wish the time away …
Happy New Year’s everyone .. and so glad you all seem to like the poems .. cheers Hilary
It was fun hearing them sing the first version! I also enjoyed both poems, and agree that the December stanza on the second poem really paints a warm holiday picture! Happy New Year, Hilary!
Julie
In some ways I prefer winter weather. We're prepared for it to be cold, wet and miserable so when we have a nice day it's a real bonus. In the summer, if it's not hot and sunny (and of course often it isn't in the UK) then we feel a bit let down.
I've missed your blog, Hilary! Still trying my darndest to catch up. I've got 35 "regular" bloggers to comment on, plus another 70 from when I was blitzed, can you imagine?
I hadn't known about Sara Coleridge at all. Such a lovely poem. The later parody is funny too :-)
A very Happy New Year to you, Hilary! Hopefully 2015 will be a must memorable one with good weather all around. Wishing you much joy and success from this day forward. :)
The second poem certainly brings a little more positivity! Wet and quite windy in Cornwall today. Wouldn't mind a couple of days of proper snow, just enough to cosy in for day and then bring on the sunshine and lighter evenings in particular. Some days seem to go to work in the dark and come home in the dark!
Happy New Year, Hilary.
You know, it's difficult for me to imagine the world as cold right now...since we've had 70's to 80's the last couple weeks. I suppose that's why we moved to Florida. =) Regardless, I do like it when it's cold. Give you a good reason to snuggle with a book, light a fire, and drink hot chocolate. (With cheese on the side, of course.)
Happy 2015!
@ Julie - glad you listened to the video .. it brings their poem to life ... while the lilting words in Sara's give us peace ... and show us how the seasons have changed ...
@ Patsy - oh I don't - I really don't like the cold, or the wet (drenched wet) -- but as you say we then get the nice day, which makes all the difference. And yes our summer is a flexible season of sun, and sunny rain!
@ Deniz - delighted I'm missed! But you've had lots going on .. a new country, new baby, and blogging two blogs .. I can't keep up at the best of times and babies don't even come into it! Great fun being blitzed ... but it adds to the load - and yes/no I can imagine - well done you're getting round though.
Glad you enjoyed hearing about Sara Coleridge .. I just love Flanders and Swann songs - parody, satirical or just plain funny .. I always smile and laugh ...
@ David - same to you ... and yes I hope 2015 will be a memorable one ... good weather would be good too ... and thanks for your wishes.
@ Suzanne - I'm always much more cheerful after I've heard a Flanders and Swan song .. they make me smile and laugh ... but can see that Sara's words are more gentle. Work at this time of year .. is get up in the dark, come home in the dark, go out in the dark and then thankfully sleep in the dark ... before we start again!
@ Crystal - I can enjoy the cold weather for a short time .. but I wouldn't like Florida weather for too long - my years of living in South Africa I guess ... but a log fire, good book with some cheese - then I'm happy ..
Cheers everyone .. and Happy New Year to you all .. Hilary
That blue bird in my last post is a Blue Jay, a feisty denizen of the woods. One of my favorites, they are real smart. I throw shell peanuts to them just to watch them open and eat.
Long-distance weather forecasting has never been very accurate!
Thank you for reminding me of Flanders and Swann. Smashing.
CLICK HERE for Bazza’s fabulous Blog ‘To Discover Ice’
We had a dumping of snow and below zero last week. This week, we're 50's. I should BBQ.
I like Sarah's softer version of the poem. Happy New Year, Hilary!
We're cold here by CA standards, but we're still dry and looking dryer. Fingers crossed for some wet months ahead.
I loved that poem of Sarah's. It made me want to go out and dig in the garden, so by April I'd have those flowers.
Hi Hilary
I really enjoyed both poems.
It's very quite cold here lately but we so often get the sunshine on the cold days and I love that :)
Happy New Year.
May the New Year bring you all good things ..
Hi, Hilary,
Happy 2015... Thanks for sharing these charming poems with us. I know I am ready for spring. Chicago in in FULL WINTER BLAST! Brrrrrrrrr.... I would love to see some spring flowers now.
Oh, Hilary no, sunshine makes the cold and snow magical here in Canada. Without it one feels in the dark, abandoned and forgotten.
@ OOTP – thanks re the Blue Jay – I hadn’t realised how pretty they are … and from your comment how feisty they are .. and I’d do the same so I could watch their wings open up … stunning bird .. such a pretty patterned back and tail …
@ Bazza – no, I know .. weather forecasting at the best of times isn’t brilliant is it – the ‘old boys’ (1,000 – 200 year old boys!) I’m sure were pretty good. Glad you enjoyed the Flanders and Swann rendition …
@ Mary – dump of snow and below O … not fun and if you’re in the 50s – yes BBQing seems a great idea!! I’m glad I put up Sara’s original … her words resonate so well.
@ Lee – oh dear: dry and looking dryer – but cold … and I do hope you get some rain soon. I know the seasons are wonderful as they bring the earth to life … early flowers and bulbs, bright green young leaves … April and the A-Z … always locked together now.
@ Margie – glad you, as a poet, enjoyed both poems .. but I agree cold and sunshine do go together so well …. Thank you for your thoughts …
@ Michael – let’s hope we all have excellent 2015s … I’m glad the poems are resonating with everyone. Spring – I don’t wish my days away .. but sometimes … we’re in a storm and wet spell at the moment … but Spring will arrive!
Cheers to all of us and happy 2015s ahead … take care - Hilary
Insightful poems about the kind of weather you endure in England...
Very timely poems for me since January is bringing snow and extremely cold temperatures. (They closeed the schools yesterday here due to the low temperatures). I will have some shoveling to do later today.
Thank you for sharing these poems.
The article about Van Gogh was enjoyable too! And from there I ended up reading another one about Van Gogh's Starry night and what it reveals about the movement of light. I will find it and send it to you. I read it yesterday.
Cheers.
We need a parody for those areas hit by drought as well. We've had quite a few in the States in recent years. Um...
January, cold and dry
Brings a tear to the farmers eye.
(At the moment, we're got five inches of new snow and the wind chill last night was -25 F.) Sigh.
I wish the year could be only spring and summer! May this 2015 bring many good things to you, Hillary! I leave you lots of Dragon Hugs for starters!
That new version is fun if a bit pessimistic about the weather. Just wish for less rain this winter!
Ha ha! I had not heard that parody before, but I LOVE it! So hilarious!
What a beautiful way to start the year indeed. Have a lovely Friday.
@ Julia – well the weather is a constant and pretty much falls into this pattern and certainly did when I was growing up. Gosh schools closed where you are … we just have major wind and rains now. Good luck with the snow shovelling .. hard work!!
Thanks too about the Van Gogh and when you can .. I’ll be interested to see the movement of light concept he thought about.
@ LD – thanks for coming by … yes we can get drought too … but not as bad as you’ve been having in the States. But I see you’ve made a start … lovely:
January, cold and dry
Brings a tear to the farmer’s eye …
5 inches of snow and wind chill and low temperatures – yugh!! Good luck …
@ Al – well now that would be a very good thought Father Dragon: spring and summer all year .. I’d go with that!!
@ Nick – we are a pessimistic nation … but their parodies or verses always amused and were entertaining. Less rain and less wind – but then we’d want the rain back …?!
@ Caryn – nice to meet you … so glad you listened to the YouTube verse .. they are great fun and so amusing to listen to – great – thanks.
@ Vanessa – yes … despite its gloom … Flanders and Swann bring some hilarity along the way …
Thanks everyone .. so pleased to see you all ... meet old friends and greet new ones .. Happy New Years – cheers Hilary
I like them both, but the second one is much more positive. The first one sounds as if it was written in the middle of winter and the writer was grumpy! Thanks for sharing these Hilary. I wish you and yours a wonderful happy new year, and that you stay nice and toasty warm until spring! Thanks for commenting on my blog, again! I always love to see your name on my list...
I'm with you - hope and expectation for the new year is definitely a good thing! Looking forward to sunshine and joy on the journey. Thanks so much for sharing and brightening my day. :)
I don't think my comment published. Hmmm. I just said that the grumpiness of the first one made me laugh out loud - particularly "then bloody January again!"
@ Lisa - yes, Sara's poem is a very good original ... but I so enjoy the Flanders and Swann songs and parodies ... in the 50s - they might very well have been grumpy - it was colder then with little heating. Pleasure coming across ...
@ Karen - that's good hope and expectation with some sunshine - yes ... and so pleased to read your day has been brightened ...
@ Lynn - no I'm sorry it didn't seem to post and it's not in comment moderation ... good to see you though .. and their grumpiness does make us laugh ... and exactly as you say 'bloody January again!' ... it is fun to listen to ..
Cheers to you three - thanks for the visit .. Hilary
... and I'm wilting in the humid weather this side... It's unbearably hot at the moment... leaves one feeling drained and quite listless...
Hi Michelle - nothing like picking this up four years late!! Apologies ... but I'm going to use it for a reading group I go to ... cheers Hilary
we're in 'bl**dy' January ... such is life!!
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