Downed cherry-crab tree in St Pancras and Islington Cemetery

Dear Readers, well here in East Finchley we mostly got through Storm Eunice without too much trouble, though I notice a lot of requests for recommendations for tree surgeons and people who repair fences. However, one poor young woman was killed in Highgate/Muswell Hill when a tree blew down onto her car – such a tragedy, my heart goes out to her family. I took a walk around the cemetery, of which more in tomorrow’s post, but suffice to say that although there were a lot of branches down, there were only a few whole trees blown, down, such as the one in the photo above.

What the whole thing has made me think about, however, is how many songs there are out there that talk about storms, and rain, and generally inclement weather. So, for your task this week, can you name the lyrics that these songs came from, and name (at least one) singer? As usual you have until 5 p.m. UK time on Friday 25th February to pop your answers in the comments (I will disappear them as soon as I see them). And then the answers, plus some music, will be posted on Saturday 26th February. So have fun!

Onwards!

1. When he went away
   The blues walked in and met me
   Oh, yeah if he stays away
   Old rocking chair’s gonna get me
   All I do is pray
   The Lord will let me
   Walk in the sun once more

2. Hey window pane
Tell me, do you remember?
How sweet it used to be
When we were together
Everything was so grand
Now that we parted
There’s just one sound
That I just can’t stand.

3. There’s a killer on the road
His brain is squirmin’ like a toad.

4. But there’s one thing I know
The blues they send to meet me
Won’t defeat me, it won’t be long
Till happiness steps up to greet me

5. Oh, where have you been, my blue-eyed son?
Oh, where have you been, my darling young one?
I’ve stumbled on the side of twelve misty mountains
I’ve walked and I’ve crawled on six crooked highways
I’ve stepped in the middle of seven sad forests
I’ve been out in front of a dozen dead oceans
I’ve been ten thousand miles in the mouth of a graveyard.

6. So, baby, talk to me
Like lovers do
Walk with me
Like lovers do
Talk to me
Like lovers do.

7. God bless Mother Nature (she’s a single woman, too!)
She took off to heaven (and she did what she had to do)
She fought every angel, and rearranged the sky
So that each and every woman could find the perfect guy

8. Yes, and how many years must a mountain exist
Before it is washed to the sea?
And how many years can some people exist
Before they’re allowed to be free?
Yes, and how many times can a man turn his head
And pretend that he just doesn’t see?

9. Well, there’s a small boat made of china
It’s going nowhere on the mantlepiece
Well, do I lie like a loungeroom lizard
Or do I sing like a bird released?

10. And I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know.