Autumn Days – A question about “Jet Planes”

When I was a kid, one of my favourite times of year was Autumn. For one reason, this is because my birthday is in October – so Autumn meant prezzies and cake. But there was another reason I loved Autumn… it meant we could sing the school assembly classic “Autumn Days”, with its iconic shouted line “A WIN FOR MY HOME TEAM”.

I always loved this song. Something evocative about the lyrics and the sense of nature it evoked. But, as I was humming it to myself this weekend as I walked through my red leafed town, something occurred to me.

The song contains the line:

“Jet planes meeting in the air to be refuelled”

This is odd, I thought… I have never seen that happening…

So, when I got home I googled it… and it turns out that in-air refuelling although something that is possible, ONLY HAPPENS IN ACTIVE WAR.

So, it seems that this hymn is actually taking place in a war zone.

Kind of paints a sad image.

Has anyone else ever noticed this?

Thoughts?

 

Full lyrics below

Autumn days, when the grass is jewelled
And the silk inside a chestnut shell
Jet planes meeting in the air to be refuelled
All these things I love so well

So I mustn’t forget
No, I mustn’t forget
To say a great big thank you
I mustn’t forget.

Clouds that look like familiar faces
And a winter’s moon with frosted rings
Smell of bacon as I fasten up my laces
And the song the milkman sings.

So I mustn’t forget
No, I mustn’t forget
To say a great big thank you
I mustn’t forget.

Whipped-up spray that is rainbow-scattered
And a swallow curving in the sky
Shoes so comfy though they’re worn out and they’re battered
And the taste of apple pie.

So I mustn’t forget
No, I mustn’t forget
To say a great big thank you
I mustn’t forget.

Scent of gardens when the rain’s been falling
And a minnow darting down a stream
Picked-up engine that’s been stuttering and stalling
And a win for my home team.

So I mustn’t forget
No, I mustn’t forget
To say a great big thank you
I mustn’t forget.