Folk Song: Blow the Wind Southerly
Folk Song: Blow the Wind Southerly
Here is another folk song and an excuse to post another of Montague Dawson’s stunning paintings. This plaintive song, like “Dance Ti Thy Daddy,” comes from the English northern district of Northumberland. In it, a young woman beseeches the winds to blow “southerly,” to bring her sea-faring lover safely home. The text was first published in 1834, in The Bishoprick Garland, a collection of songs and ballads edited by J. Ritson.
The leisurely and delightful tune likely predates the text, and like the songwriter, the composer is anonymous.
Blow the wind southerly, southerly, southerly
Blow the wind south o'er the bonnie blue sea;
Blow the wind southerly, southerly, southerly,
Blow bonnie breezes, my lover to me.
They told me last night there were ships in the offing,
And I hurried down to the deep rolling sea;
But my eye could not see it wherever might be it,
The bark that's bearing my lover to me.
Blow the wind southerly, southerly, southerly
Blow the wind south o'er the bonnie blue sea;
Blow the wind southerly, southerly, southerly,
Blow bonnie breezes, my lover to me.
I stood by the lighthouse the last time we parted,
Till darkness came down o’er the deep rolling sea
And no longer I saw the bright bark of my lover.
Blow, bonnie breezes, and bring him to me.
Blow the wind southerly, southerly, southerly
Blow the wind south o'er the bonnie blue sea;
Blow the wind southerly, southerly, southerly,
Blow bonnie breezes, my lover to me.
Is it not sweet to hear the breeze singing
As it lightly comes o’er the deep rolling sea?
But sweeter and and endearing by far ‘tis when steering
The bark of my true love back safely to me.
Blow the wind southerly, southerly, southerly
Blow the wind south o'er the bonnie blue sea;
Blow the wind southerly, southerly, southerly,
Blow bonnie breezes, my lover to me.
Painting: Evening Shadows. Montague Dawson.
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ELISSA said...
Oh, I love that one! Thanks for sharing the lyrics! The painting is absolutely stunning; the water is amazingly life-like. Absolutely gorgeous!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 07:30 PM
HANDMAIDEN said...
This song reminded me of you, Elissa! I had thought you would like it, and I am pleased to have been so accurate.
Yes, Montague Dawson was an extraordinary nautical artist. My favorite of his works is “Dawn Chase.”
Friday, June 18, 2010 05:09 PM
Tuesday, June 15, 2010