Linden Lea

LINDEN LEA - “Translated”

Music by Ralph Vaughan Williams
Words by William Barnes

Within the woodlands, flowery gladed,
By the oak tree's mossy moot,
The shining grass-blades, timber-shaded,
Now do quiver under foot;
And birds do whistle overhead,
And water's bubbling in its bed,
And there for me the apple tree
Do lean down low in Linden Lea.

When leaves that lately were a-springing
Now do fade within the copse,
And painted birds do hush their singing
Up upon the timber tops;
And brown-leaved fruit's a-turning red,
In cloudless sunshine, overhead,
With fruit for me, the apple tree
Do lean down low in Linden Lea.

Let other folk make money faster
In the air of dark-roomed towns,
I don't dread a peevish master;
Though no man do heed my frowns,
I be free to go abroad,
Or take again my homeward road
To where, for me, the apple tree
Do lean down low in Linden Lea.


This English Folk Song has been one of my favourites since way back in 1996-97 when I heard it for the first time.

It reminds me of the simple life where you don't need an ipod to enjoy the music of birds or a digital camera to appreciate the beauty of nature. A time when even going to the next town down the road was a big thing. A time when it was easier to amuse ourselves.

The lines which I have highlighted have special significance to me. I like them a lot.