A CHANGE IN THE WEATHER - St Swithins Day .. and the rain came down

As I have mentioned a number of times on the podcast we in the UK are obsessed by the weather. I realise looking back at various pieces I've put up - I am obsessed by the weather. 

Music associates rain, cloudy skies, cold weather with sad or bad things; sunny skies, clear sky, spring time with good or happy things.

There are some exceptions - Singing in the rain is one of the happiest tunes you could imagine.

In June /July there were some alarmingly hot days - makes you think about the impact of global warming . There were in various parts of the world some terrible storms and floods.

This weeks tunes all reflect A CHANGE IN THE WEATHER - starting with what we perceive to be bad - Rain - and finishing with what we think is good - Sun.

But it isn't that straightforward is it?

Todays tune is about St Swithin ( source the BBC)

Well, 15 July is St Swithin's Day. It takes place every year on this date, and according to traditional folklore, whatever the weather is like on St Swithin's Day - whether rain or sunshine - it will continue for the next 40 days and 40 nights.

But where does this legend come from and is there any truth to it?

What is the St Swithin's Day poem?

The old poem goes like this...

"St Swithin's Day, if it does rain

Full forty days, it will remain

St Swithin's Day, if it be fair

For forty days, t'will rain no more"

Who was St Swithin?

Swithin was a man born in or around the year 800. He became Bishop of Winchester.

Unlike other religious figures, he asked not to be buried in a prominent place within Winchester Cathedral, but outside in a simple tomb "where the sweet rain of heaven may fall upon my grave".

The legend says after his remains were moved inside there was a great storm and it rained for many weeks after.