Autumn leaves

It’s a bright, cool morning, the sun glancing off the russet and golden leaves of the oak trees. Now and then a few leaves float down, some settling among the branches of trees and the stems of spent summer flowers, others joining their fellows on the ground. A rich carpet of leaves is laid, deep and crisp, a pleasure to see, a joy to shuffle through. Occasionally, a breeze springs up and a flurry of colour spins through the air.

Soon, the trees will be almost bare, revealing their skeletons and their squirrel paths. Some dry and darkened leaves will remain, obdurate, until spring kindles new growth.

‘Autumn Leaves’ is the English version of a French song, ‘Les Feuilles mortes,’ which was composed in 1945 by Hungarian composer Joseph Kosma. Jacques Prévert wrote the French lyrics and Johnny Mercer wrote the English words. The English version is somewhat shorter than the French.

It has been recorded commercially more than a thousand times. Singers include Bing Crosby, Doris Day, and Keely Smith. The version here is by Nat King Cole, whose perfect diction and mellow voice perfectly suit the song.