The Snows They Melt The Soonest

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This is a traditional song, which likely originated in North East England during the 19th century, and is now popular amongst singers throughout Britain and Ireland. It has some striking, beautiful lyrics that draw parallels between the changing seasons and a changing relationship. This relationship is usually portrayed from the perspective of a man with an overabundance of confidence in his own attractiveness. However, for our version we decided to re-write some of these lyrics, to make it more about a melancholy parting of lovers, whilst maintaining the overall feel of the song.

Jeremy Bunting (Vocals, Guitar) // Jake Rowlinson (Vocals, Harmonium) // Fran Rowney (Low (F) Whistle)

LYRICS

The snows they melt the soonest when the wind begins to sing
The corn it ripens fastest when the frosts are settling in
And when my lover tells me that my face she’ll soon forget
Before we part, i’ll bare my heart before our sun has set

The snows they melt the soonest when the wind begins to sing
The swallow flies without a thought as long as it is spring
But when spring goes and winter blows then comes our love’s refrain
Manys the day she’s been away across the raging main

The snows they melt the soonest when the wind begins to sing
And the bee that flew when summer shone in winter cannot sting
I’ve seen my lovers anger melt between the night and the morn
So when we say this love is dead, can it yet be reborn?

So never tell me farewell here no farewell i’ll receive
For i wish you’d lie with me my love then kiss and take your leave
And i’ll wait here til’ the moorcock crows and the martin takes the wing
For the snows they melt the soonest when the wind begins to sing

Traditional / Windjammer arr, Windjammer © 2020

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