Song number 16 (a rough version). Please click here to listen: July to September
Happy birthday, Sean … wish you were here. Love you always.
Happy birthday to Christopher too … neither of you will ever be forgotten.
July to September
In the hollow, there’s sweet music
At the setting of the sun
I can hear a choir of spirits sing
And now the shivering has begun
I have walked this winding road before
A long long time ago
Before I had known the saddest songs
Or made my way through fields of snow
All my life I will remember
Standing on dry land
From July to September
But October didn’t turn out as we planned
And some things we’re not meant to understand
There’s a feeling of light and hopefulness
Coming up from deep inside
There’s the rhythm of life’s ancient pulse
A verse of poetry – a sense of pride
All the time we were together
Is the rock on which I stand
One small island of blessed memories
From where I can still glimpse the promised land
All my life I will remember
Listening to the band
From July to September
But October didn’t turn out as we planned
And some things we’re not meant to understand
Your heart had one long hot season
Just a quarter of the human span
You were gone for no apparent reason
At the time when you’d just become a man
So this song is a celebration
And a requiem for what might have been
You were a wonder and a revelation
You were like nobody else we’d ever seen
All my life I will remember
Standing on dry land
From July to September
But October didn’t turn out as we planned
And some things we’re not meant to understand
The songs are out there somewhere, waiting
Red red wine and yellow rose
To be drawn into our restless hearts
The same old notes are dressed in different clothes
There’s no knowing what the future holds
There’s just now, and what we have right here
There’s no anger; there’s no bitterness
There’s no jealousy; there’s no fear
All my life I will remember
Listening to the band
From July to September
But October didn’t turn out as we planned
And some things we’re not meant to understand
The road to God knows where ... Brendan O'Brien 
I think these are my favourite lyrics so far. The verses standalone as wonderful poem. So do I dare now listen to the tune? PS A great photo to match the words!
Hello, PapaG … thanks very much! I wasn’t sure about the lyrics, actually, so this is reassuring. Yes, I really like the photo.
Busy day today … we’re expecting a good few to call to the house, so I’ve been cooking …
Hello Brendan, good lyric and your beloved son’s photo so lovely, i hope you and yours are well..All the Best.
Hello Metin … thank you very much. Big party here at the moment with Sean’s friends. I hope you and your family are well.
Brendan, the lyrics are a great tribute and salutation to Sean and to the rest of you. The photo is a delight.
I have some poignant childhood association with 28 July and did not know the significance of the date for you. I send my best wishes to your wife and daughter.
Hello Shermeen … thanks very much. I hope you had a good 28 July. I will pass on your good wishes to Pauline and Susanna, and they will be reciprocated.
Hello again Brendan, thank you, everything is ok. My heart with you, yours and his friends in the party… Have a Fun!
Thanks Metin. We had a very successful night … 30 or so of Sean’s friends came to our house, and some of our friends too. We had some drinks and some songs and some food, and a very good time. Delighted that Sean’s birthday has gone so well … he would be very pleased.
I’m glad you sound good. Best wishes
Thanks, Levent … same to you.
Well Brendano, top of the mornin’ to you! Glad to hear the party was swell. I have this morning listened to the song. I do like the high note at the beginning of the chorus, and the major chord progressions there – a really nice complement to the verses in minor. Also right at the end your guitar slips into major … nice touch. i still think you could raise your pitch (key) a shade to treat your vocals … but then I have now heard that lovely girls voice in comparison …. what an angel! I could imagine her singing this song much slower and flooding peoples eyes with tears. It is one of my mates 60th birthday today. How time flies! He is treating me to a curry on Sunday – a hot house in Tooting, South London. PS What are you all having for breakfast!
Top of the morning yourself, PapaG (I’m up slightly later than usual for a Friday!).
Yes, it’s impossible to compete with Aedín in the singing stakes and of course I wouldn’t try, though I did sing and play a few songs last night – including my own ‘Devil’s Bit’ and ‘Come Back and See Me’. She liked the chords and tune of this before it was finished, so maybe she’ll give it a go.
As I play it with barre chords I can’t go any higher, but perhaps I’ll change it about at some stage.
Enjoy your curry – Tooting is the right place for one. I lived there for a couple of years.