Spring Equinox, eh? Well, here I am on the morning of Sunday the 16th of September; without, a blustery wind fetches down the leaves and acorns, & within it's so cold I'm having to light the kitchen stove with oak & holly logs.

Naturally, this brings me to The Woodcutter's Song, which I'm led to believe is entirely traditional, though my main source is Robert Graves 'The White Goddess', where it occurs as a footnote on page 196. Not sure where the refrain comes from however - if anyone can tell me, then please do.

Anyhoo, last year, being stuck for a tune (other than the one by Robin Williamson on 'Glint at the Kindling') I came up with one myself, which you can hear for the next seven days by clicking HERE . This will take to an mp3 on YouSendIt of me singing it, entirely live & self-accompanied, with the instrument I refer to as Citera Beta . Try as I might, however, I couldn't seem to rid my mind of Robin's 'Sirs'...

The Woodcutter's Song

Logs to burn, logs to burn, logs to save the coals a turn;
Here's a word to make you wise, when you hear the woodsman cry: logs to burn, logs to burn, logs to save the coals a turn...

Oak logs will warm you well, that are old and dry;
Logs of Pine wood sweetly smell, but the sparks will fly.
Beech logs for the winter time; Yew logs as well, sir.
Green elder logs it is a crime, for anyone to sell, sir.

Holly logs will burn like wax, you could burn them green.
Elm logs like to smouldering flax, with no flame to be seen.
Birch logs they will burn too fast; Chestnut scarce at all, sir.
Hawthorn logs are good to last, if cut down in the fall, sir.

Pear logs and Apple logs, they will scent your room.
Cherry logs across the dogs, they smell like flowers of broom.
But Ash logs, smooth and grey, burn them green or old, sir:
And buy up all that come you way, for they're worth their weight in gold, sir.

Logs to burn, logs to burn, logs to save the coals a turn;
Here's a word to make you wise, when you hear the woodsman cry: logs to burn, logs to burn, logs to save the coals a turn...^^^