Blow The Wind Southerly

Blow The Wind Southerly is a Northumbrian traditional early 19th century song, possibly with words from a much older source, a haunting tune that has been recorded over the decades by many singers, amongthem,famously Kathleen Ferrier in the middle of the 20th century, as well as Nana Mouskouri, Bryn Terfel, Leslie Garrett, Andreas Scholl and others. Cameron evokes the unending wind of the sea and the endless waiting ofthesinger with programmatic ‘blow’ and ‘blow wind’ Vocal accompaniments to the melody line. He postpones full Choral statement of the melody until the final verse, then lets the wind finish the work.

ContemporaryEnglishcomposer and arranger John Cameron has earned an excellent reputation for his film, television and theatre work, including films Kes, Driftwood, The Ruling Class and theatrical productions Les Miserables, Spend,Spend,Spend, and for the Royal Shakespeare Company, National Theatre and others.