Celandine by Phil Riley

The Greeks name for the swallow (the bird) was ‘chelidon’. They named the (lesser) celandine after the bird as, traditionally, the first flowers bloomed as the first swallows arrived. In English folklore the flower symbolises, inter alia, ‘joys to come’. I hope particularly this year it is true. In my song I have returned the name to the bird, calling the first swallow to arrive ‘Celandine’ ( I hope it’s a ‘lady’ swallow!)