Autumn assemblies...

You know when you have those kind of "topics of conversation" that seem to keep cropping up? Well, I feel like we've had a lot of that recently... and the topic? Assembly songs! Dave and I were talking about them last week, another friend brought the topic of conversation up this week, and then last night, at Church, our good friend Matt used assembly songs to illustrate a point he was making...

My class at primary school - this is the only photo I could find,
and it happens to be the one "class photo" I was absent for...
what a shame! I'm sure all the rest of you will enjoy seeing it
again though!

There were, of course, the classics - When I needed a neighbour, When a Knight won his Spurs, Football crazy, The drunken Sailor... and a weird song in the back of my mind that had something to do with a bear with Scruffy, wuffy hair... anyone remember that one?! There seem to be a bizarre plethora of assembly songs when it comes to this time of year... autumn seems to be an inspirational month for assembly song writers... although the tenuous links to autumn are at times questionable!!

Anyone remember this one...

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

So I mustn't forget

No, I mustn’t forget

To say a great big thank you

I mustn’t forget.

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.

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.

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.

by Estelle White

I mean, what do half of those things actually have to do with autumn?? And what is "whipped up spray that is rainbow scattered"?? Weird... explanations welcome!

Or another autumn classic...

Pear and apples, wheat and grapes

Many textures, many shapes

Falling leaves in golden drifts

Thank you God, for harvest gifts

Flashing shoals of silver fish,

Every colour you could wish;

Fishing boats, for you and me

Reap the harvest of the sea

Deep beneath the ocean floor

Fuel and power have lain in store,

Brought to use through dangerous toil

Thank you, God, for gas and oil.

Coal black diamonds in the earth,

Ancient forests gave them brith;

Skill and labour now combine

Reaping harvests of the mine.

Earth and ocean, plant and beast,

Altogether make the feast;

All who long to share your grace

At your table have their place.

Loving Lord, we know you care;

May we all your goodness share;

Save us from all selfish greed,

Finding you in those who need.

And we can't forget this classic...

Cauliflowers fluffy and cabbages green,

Strawberries sweeter than any I've seen

Beetroot purple and onions white,

All grow steadily day and night

The apples are ripe, the plums are red,

Broad beans are sleeping in a blankety bed

Blackberries juicy and rhubarb sour,

Marrows that are fattening hour by hour.

Gooseberries hairy and lettuces fat

Radishes round and runner beans flat 

Orangey carrots and turnips cream,

Reddening tomatoes that used to be green,

Brown potatoes in little heaps,

Down in the darkness where the celery sleeps

Aaah... I love a good old trip down memory lane! Any other classic assembly tunes you loved as a kid? Comment below... I'd love to remember some of those golden oldies I've forgotten!!

PS - Check back tomorrow for a VERY exciting Giveaway!!!