John Clare - 'Nutting'

Poem by John Clare (1793-1864)
Set to music by David Rowe.

In 'Nutting' Clare recalls his early courtship with Mary Joyce, who was to become his life-long muse. They never married although in his later life Clare was convinced she had been his first wife.
_________________

Right rosy gleamed the autumn morn
Right golden shone the autumn sun
The mowers swept the bleachéd corn
While long their early shades did run

The leaves were burnt to many hues
The hazel nuts were ripe & brown
My Mary's kindness could but choose
To pluck them when I bore them down

The shells her auburn hair did show
A semblance faint yet beautiful
She smiled to hear me tell her so
Till I forgot the nuts to pull

She started at each little sound
The branches made—yet would her eye
Regret the gloom encroaching round
That told her night was in the sky

I helped her through the hedge row gap
& thought the very thorns unkind
As not to part—while in her lap
She sought the ripest bunch to find

T'was Mary's smiles & sweet replies
That gave the sky so sweet a stain
So bright I never saw him rise
Nor ever set so sweet again
________________

For further information see www.johnclare.blogspot.com

Category:

Music

Tags:

• John Clare
• David Rowe
• acoustic
• solo
• music' folk music

[arborfield1]

A 'one take' demo which, of course, would be immeasurably improved on a studio recording. Welcome to David and Maria's home in Truro, the only city in Cornwall.