Wind in The Willows
Last Sunday I used the song “Wind in the Willows” at Mass. Those from home know that it’s a regular of mine. Somehow over the years I seem to have added my own words to it. Not sure how that happened but certainly the words I use are not all found in Alan Bell’s original words. I hope he doesn’t mind that. I read recently where he wrote the song about a man on his way to an English festival and meeting three strangers on the road. It’s about encounter I suppose and what can come of it.
In any case a number of people asked me since Sunday for the words and I thought maybe I could include them here and then I decided to sing it. Not the best video ever and certainly not the best singing but I really do like this song and am glad it struck a chord (pun intended!!) with some people.
LYRICS
As I went a-walking one morning in spring
I met with some travellers on an old country lane;
one was an old man, the second a maid
and the third was a young child who smiled as he said:
With the wind in the willows
and the birds in the skies
there’s a bright sun to warm us
wherever we lie
We have bread and fishes
and a jug of red wine
to share on our journey
with all of mankind
Well then I asked them
their name and their race
that I might return
their kindness and grace.
He said, “My name is Joseph
this is Mary my wife
and this is our young son
who is our delight.
I sat down beside them
with flowers all around
and we ate from a mantle
spread out on the ground
they told me of prophets
and princes and kings
and all of the One God
who knows everything.
We’ve come to your land
We travel your lanes
To learn of your people
And learn of their pains
We’ve travelled the whole world
Oe’r land and through seas
to bring to all peoples
the news that they’re free
Sadly, I left them on that
on that old country lane
but I knew in my heart
I would meet them again.
The old man was Joseph
and Mary his wife
and the young child was Jesus;
the Lord of my life.
With the wind in the willows
and the birds in the skies
there’s a bright sun to warm us
wherever we lie
We have bread and fishes
and a jug of red wine
to share on our journey
with all of mankind
