Here Comes the Rain

Just when I believe we may see a break in the rain and snow, here it comes again! While I admit to love the snow...and even the rain when it comes in moderation, day after day without my winter sunshine can sometimes make me rather melancholy. Is it any wonder that the simple nursery rhyme keeps running through my mind today?

Rain, Rain, go away;

Come again another day.

And upon thinking of this rhyme, I began to wonder how many other cute rhymes and poems exist about the rain and how....well...downright TIRED of it we are?! How are these?

Rain, rain, pour down,

But not a drop on our town.

Rain on the green grass,

and rain on the tree,

and rain on the housetop,

but not on me!

Rain, rain go away,

Come again on washing day.

Rain, rain go to Germany,

And remain there permanently.

Rain rain go away,

Come on (insert old sweetheart's name here) wedding day.

Rain on Monday,

Sunshine next Sunday.

Rain is falling down,

Splash!

Rain is falling down,

Splash!

Pitter-patter, pitter-patter,

Rain is falling down,

Splash!

If all the raindrops

were lemondrops and gumdrops,

Oh, what a rain that would be!

Just as a note of interest, the history of the lyrics to "Rain, rain go away" are said to date back to the reign of Queen Elizabeth I (1533-1603), one of the English Tudor monarchs. During this period of English history, there was a constant rivalry between Spain and England culminating in the launch of the Spanish Armada in 1588. The Spanish Armada was led by Duke of Medina Sedonia, and the fleet numbered over 130 ships. The English fleet, under the Admiral Lord Howard, totalled 34 small Navy vessels and 163 armed merchant ships. But the great Spanish Armada was defeated. Only 65 Spanish galleons and just 10,000 men returned to Spain. The attempt failed, not only because of the swift nature of the smaller English ships, but also by the stormy weather which scattered the Armada fleet. Hence, the origin of the nursery rhyme:

Rain, rain go away,

Come again another day.

Little Johnny wants to play.

Rain, rain go to Spain,

Never show your face again!

May your rainy days be tolerable! ;-)

Today, the rain and cold are penetrating my soul. I feel sad. The drops of rain falling outside my window echo the tears in my heart, and it feels as though the heavens themselves are mournful. I heard from an old friend this morning that his father is dying and only has a couple of days left. The family has gathered, and now they wait. There is no joy for them during this Christmas season. I grieve for them and for their loss. What a difficult time to lose someone you love.

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The day is cold and dark and dreary;

It rains, and the wind is never weary;

The vine still clings to the mouldering wall,

But at every gust the dead leaves fall,

And the day is dark and dreary.

My life is cold and dark and dreary;

It rains, and the wind is never weary;

My thoughts still cling to the mouldering past,

But the hopes of youth fall thick in the blast,

And the days are dark and dreary.

Be still, sad heart, and cease repining;

Behind the clouds is the sun still shining;

Thy fate is the common fate of all,

Into each life some rain must fall,

Some days must be dark and dreary.

~The Rainy Day by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow