…went to mow a meadow

If you are a Chelsea football fan you will of course know this song already! But then again, if you were ever a child you might also remember it…

One man went to mow
Went to mow a meadow,
(aside) Meadow!
One man and his dog,
(aside) Spot!
Went to mow a meadow

Two men went to mow,
Went to mow a meadow,
(aside) Meadow!
Two men, one man and his dog
(aside) Spot!
Went to mow a meadow

Three men went to mow,
Went to mow a meadow,
(aside) Meadow!
Three men, two men, one man and his dog,
(aside) Spot!
Went to mow a meadow

Four men went to mow,
Went to mow a meadow,
(aside) Meadow!
Four men, three men, two men, one man and his dog,
(aside) Spot!
Went to mow a meadow

Old nursery rhyme and counting song

Then you carry on repeating the verses ( if you have the energy or the time) adding an extra man each time, until finally, you come to verse ten—

Ten men went to mow,
Went to mow a meadow,
(aside) Meadow!
Ten men, nine men, eight men, seven men, six men, five men, four men three men, two men, one man and his dog,(aside) Spot!
Went to mow a meadow!

Final verse (unless you want to carry on forever!)

National Meadows Day

Today is the Fourth of July and we can go back to a pub for a beer! (with mitigating safety rules). And we can go and get a haircut! Yay! The Fourth of July is also a date popular in the USA for celebrating their freedom from rule by us Brits! (as I’m sure you know). But, did you know that today is also National Meadows Day? Yes, and this is the first time I’ve heard of it! But, then I’m a Londoner and unfortunately, far too far away from any meadows.

Meadows Day is an event held every year on the first Saturday of July (on or near the 4th July). It is a time to celebrate and enjoy your local meadow and realise how valuable it is.

Since the 1930’s our nation has lost 7.5 million acres of meadows and wildflower grasslands.

More Information at Save our magnificent meadows

National Meadow Days are being held all over the country (so there might be one near you). The events will help raise awareness to the importance of meadow conservation and (hopefully) help halt the rate of loss of this most beautiful of habitats.

The nearest I can get to a meadow where I live, is the little local wildlife garden.

How does the Meadow flower its bloom unfold?
Because the lovely little flower is free down to its root,
and in that freedom bold.

William Wordsworth

The little garden meadow attracts an abundance of wildlife. My short video clip (only I minute 19 seconds) is of white butterflies dancing among the wild white flowers and grasses of the small meadow in my local wildlife garden. There is no soundtrack to the video— so might be nice to listen to calm ‘butterfly’ music while you watch—or if you’re a musician that can play suitable ‘butterfly music’ I’d love to hear it! 😁