What a world of contrasts we live in... of course it's not just mid-summer
but mid-winter
too!
@Dingo40,
@Ffingers, I never knew that Australia cooled down like this in winter. I guess compared to Northern European standards, your mid-winter is mild, but still, that's chillier than I expected! I imagine the days get pretty short too.
Speaking of things that are more chilling than expected... I learned to play a song a few years ago, transcribed for quint free bass accordion, called 'Elegie' by the Romantic composer Jules Massenet. It was in a Palmer & Hughes free bass book. Occasionally, just for fun, near Halloween when the short, shadowy days return, I like to playfully spook the family by walking along the hallway and quietly playing the Elegie, like a ghostly accordionist.
Here's a new version I've just heard, sung and with accompaniment on accordion:
The mournful lyrics, from French into English are roughly rendered as:
O, sweet spring of yesteryears green seasons
You have fled forever!
I no longer see the blue sky
I no longer hear the bird's joyful singing
And, taking my happiness with you...
O beloved, you have gone away!
And it is in vain that spring returns!
Yes, never to return
The bright sun has gone with you
The days of happiness have fled
How gloomy and cold is my heart
All is withered
And yet music, as in life, offers so many contrasts. In the Highlands the sun has been shining brightly recently and the days are so very long. Where I am right now it will not get dark at night here until close to midnight. That brings a brighter, happier summer song to mind:
Mind you, it's not just the fish that are jumpin'... I had to shoo away two red deer from the garden a couple of nights ago, late on, as they were making a bee-line for the new trees in the orchard. They pranced back off into the hazy forest at double time!
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