Flower of the Month – June “Summer Song for the Open Air”

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June
“Summer Song for the Open Air”
Eliza Flower (1803–1846)

for acapella voices
performed by The Flower Singers from
ELECTRIC VOICE THEATRE’S
Young Singers Programme

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Sepia drawing of the head of the composer surrounded by flowers

Eliza Flower (1803 – 1846)

Tinted lithograph of a drawing by Mrs E Bridell Fox, 1898/99 courtesy of Conway Hall Ethical Society

In nature the flower of this month is the rose – a universal symbol of love.

O! this sweet summer weather
Brings joyous thoughts together,
Like drops of dew,
Glitt’ring at morn’s sweet prime
On a sunny bank of thyme,
With its blossoms blue.

Thyme growing on a rock

How can the heart be sad?
When the very air is glad
With pleasant sounds,
Of a thousand happy things,
Dancing in dizzy rings
Their airy rounds.

And the bright blooming flow’rs
Give to the laughing hours
Their fragrant breath;
And, whispering seem to say,
‘Let every brow be gay
With a rosy wreath.’

Sweet offspring of the earth!
I’ll teach my heart thy mirth
Even tho’ it be
But a summer dream of joy,
Which winter will destroy,
As it will thee.

Yet will I strive to keep,
In my bosom buried deep,
Your fragrant bloom;
And memory shall raise
Thoughts of these sunny days
Mid hours of gloom.

June – “Summer Song for the Open Air” is from “Songs of the Months” published by A J Novello in December 1834. The short editorial introduction explains that each song appeared throughout 1834 in the Monthly Repository – a publication associated with South Place Chapel where Flower’s life and work was based.

The words of the song were written by Catherine Partridge about whom we unfortunately know absolutely nothing so far! We imagine she would have been a friend of Eliza, and possibly one of her singers – here’s hoping we find out more soon.

We are releasing each song in its allotted month during 2023. Please go to our Flower of the Month page for more information and to hear all of the songs we’ve recorded so far.