MONDAY 21ST MARCH

A Field of Lavender
[with thanks to FreeFoto.com]

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And lavender, whose spikes of azure bloom
Shall be, ere awhile, in arid bundles bound
To lurk amidst the labours of her loom,
And crown her kerchiefs with mickle rare perfume.
(William Shenstone from “The Schoolmistress” 1742)

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Here’s your sweet lavender,
Sixteen sprigs a penny,
That you’ll find my ladies
Will smell as sweet as any.
(London lavender seller’s cry 1900)

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A Lavender Farm at Hokkaido, Japan

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Lavender, sweet lavender;
Come and buy my lavender,
Hide it in your trousseau, lady fair.
Let its lovely fragrance flow
Over you from head to toe,
Lightening your eyes, your cheek, your hair.
(Cumberland Clark - Flower Song Book 1929)

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The well-known song "Lavender's Blue, dilly dilly" dates from the 17th century. There are around 30 verses to the song and there are many variations to the words. However, there's just one verse in a children's book "Songs for the Nursery" which was published in 1805 and here are the words -

Lavender blue and Rosemary green,
When I am king you shall be queen;
Call up my maids at four o'clock,
Some to the wheel and some to the rock,
Some to make hay and some to shear corn,
And you and I will keep the bed warm.

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The music here was composed by Nigel Hess for the film "Ladies in Lavender." The violinist is Joshua Bell and the video was devised by "xyCuriosityxy"



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Norman tells me that there are 152 million blogs worldwide. He invites you to join him at the new blog COME SURF THE NET when it begins on Saturday 26th March
http://comesurfthenet.blogspot.com

Thanks to http://www.graphicshunt.com for the cartoon image

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