Of all of the settings of “Blow, Blow Thou Winter Wind,” (and there are many), my favorite is by John Rutter.
But though it has a winterish feel, this piece of choral music is a rather gentle portrayal of the harsh winds of winter.
The lyrics are taken from a song within Shakespeare’s play “As You Like It”.
In it, the singer compares the harshness of the winter wind to the ingratitude of human beings, concluding that humans are "more unkind."
Winter winds can be harsh, causing trees to sway, stretching the roots and sometimes pulling a tree right out of the ground.
Persistent wind can break branches and literally sculpt trees.
The trees of the Great Lakes region have adapted to winter wind.
Deciduous trees drop their leaves. Many species develop wood that is more dense on the side facing the prevailing wind.
And needles develop a waxy cuticle to protect the living green cells.
This wax coating prevents dehydration and also acts as sort of a sunscreen, filtering out the UV rays which are present, even in winter.
But wind, especially if it is carrying sand grains or tiny ice crystals, can abrade the protective wax coating, causing the needles to dry out and turn brown.
That’s pretty harsh.
Can, as Shakespeare suggests, a fake friendship cause more pain than a harsh winter wind?
Or maybe, perhaps, “the harsher winds of winter can drive away our selfishness and hypocrisy.”
Last line lifted from “A Campers Prayer”, which for decades, was repeated during the Sunday Services at the National Music Camp.
