Autumn Days

This is a children's song, about thankfulness and the season of autumn.

It was written by English Roman-Catholic convert, physiotherapist, and later teacher and hymn-writer Estelle White (1925-2011) in the 1960s / 70s, and so marvels at some of the things which were recent inventions then but are not regarded as out-of-the-ordinary today.

The song was published in the BBC's children's hymn book  The Complete Come and Praise - and this is the only sheet music that has been found.

It is set to an unnamed tune, also by White. This has a 4/4 time signature. In the key of C, the first few notes are c cc B BB A A AG.


dew-fall on grass glistening in the sun



Downloads

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Examples

Solo singer with guitar, professionally recorded:


Singer with piano, rhythm, bells - multi-tracked recording:


School choir with backing track:


Instrumental - keyboard:


Instrumental - pipe organ:


Lyrics

The lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here. But they are currently available on this website.

The song starts with a five-line chorus, and this is repeated after each of the four verses. A rough outline is:
1 Autumn days, when the grass is jewelled ...

Chorus:
So I mustn’t forget
- No, I mustn’t forget
- To say a great big thank you
I mustn’t forget.

2 Clouds that look like familiar faces ...

3 Whipped-up spray that is rainbow-scattered ...

4 Scent of gardens when the rain’s been falling ...

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KEEP IN CASE ORIGINAL IS REMOVED, BUT DO NOT DISPLAY
1 Autumn days, when the grass is jewelled
And the silk inside a chestnut shell
Jet planes meeting in the air to be refuelled
All these things I love so well.

Chorus:
So I mustn’t forget - No, I mustn’t forget
T say a great big thank you I mustn’t forget.

2 Clouds that look like familiar faces
And a winter’s moon with frosted rings
Smell of bacon as I fasten up my laces
And the song the milkman sings.

3 Whipped-up spray that is rainbow-scattered
And a swallow curving in the sky
Shoes so comfy though they’re worn out and they’re battered
And the taste of apple pie.

4 Scent of gardens when the rain’s been falling
And a minnow darting down a stream
Picked-up engine that’s been stuttering and stalling
And a win for my home team.

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