In Franco Zeffirelli’s movie Brother Sun Sister Moon about Saint Francis’ early life, the first song by Donovan is a beautiful accompaniment to the scene where Francis returns desperately ill from feudal battles and prison to his home town of Assisi.
Oh the drums are so mournful my dear oh my love
As my thoughts they are turning your way.
Where are the eyes I beheld with my own
On that long-ago lazy day.
Dead are the deeds on the stark battlefield.
The stench of the flesh sickens me.
I slept soaking wet and the worms ate my bread,
And the mourning of men filled the air.
Oh green are the leaves of the old apple tree,
Those sweet perfumed blossoms of spring.
Entwined in your hair, the smile in your eye,
A soft blade of grass for a ring.
Warm are the loaves that cool on the sill
To the song of the clear trickling stream.
The good clean smell of the rough woven sheets.
The song of the children at play.
Oh the drums are so mournful my dear oh my love
As my thoughts they are turning your way.
Where are the eyes I beheld with my own
On that long-ago lazy day.
On that long-ago lazy day.