October Winds

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This recent change in the weather from a very dry September to blustery October brough to mind the words from a lovely Irish lullaby.

The October Winds lament around the Castle of Dromore,

Yet peace is in her lofty halls, my loving treasure store.

Tho' Autumn leaves may droop and die

A bud of Spring are you.

Sing hush-a-by lull-a-loo lo lan, Sing hush-a-by lull-a-loo.

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As no-one knows for sure which Dromore Castle is referred to in the song, the above picture is of an anonymous Irish castle, which I thought had the right atmosphere for October.

There are three contenders for the claim, and the most popular choice seems to be the one at Blackwater Bridge near Kenmare on the ring of Kerry.

Apparently this one was built in the mid 1800's (c. 1840 or so) by a local Protestant family.

There are records extant of a visit by Harold Boulton to the family there and it is said (though this is not substantiated) that he wrote the song for the family as a thankyou after his visit.

I have both the Clancy brothers version & the Corries on old LP's.

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And in contrast to to above October winds and today's rain, we have.....

One fine October morning,

In April, last July,

The moon lay thick upon the ground,

The snow shone in the sky.

The flowers were sweetly singing,

The birds were in full bloom;

As I went down to the cellar

To sweep an upstairs room.

One early Tuesday morning,

On Wednesday late at night,

I saw, ten thousand miles away,

A house just out of sight.

Its door projected inwards,

Its front was at the back,

It stood alone between two more,

And it was whitewashed black.

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