A Little Wine, A Little Music on Sunday Afternoon
Blog: Living Well
June 27, 2010
What a fun way to end an already exciting weekend! Having attended the Grand Opening of the Stemilt Creek Leavenworth tasting room Friday evening, and the lively Saturday afternoon wine and food fest at the Festhalle here in Leavenworth, I was ready for something quieter.
Earlier this spring, we had gone up to 37 Cellars to help Chuck Egner and Frank Dechaine bottle the new 2008 Pepperbridge Merlot, I was an invaluable assistant in labeling (isn't that so, Frank?) and we thought it time to check on the results of what was in those bottles. Besides, I hadn't heard "my song" in awhile.
Chuck and Frank were sitting on the deck in the shade, Chuck's Martin guitar close at hand. Frank poured us a taste of the Merlot, which we unanimously agreed had turned out well. Those acids and tannins in this young wine were maturing wonderfully and it would age well. I also thought the perfectly applied label added a lot to the finished product.
Chuck was quietly picking away as we discussed the latest winemaking ventures and past adventures of the brothers-in-law. After half an hour in the warmth of the summer afternoon, we tested the wine again. Better yet! The dark fruit and berry aromas had become richer.and the flavors fuller and more lingering.
Then Chuck began.....my song. Aragon Mill has been a favorite ever since I heard Chuck sing it over a year ago, and he graciously does it for me when I ask. Aragon Mill is not a song of today, but it could be, with its echoes of sadness brought about by job loss, businesses closing, and folks wondering what to do. And Chuck has a way with it that to me has no equal.
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After that, we had to have something lively and funny, so Chuck and Frank ended with some lighter songs.
We decided that their Chardonnay would go well with our dinner, and then it was time to go.
As the wine chilled and we cooked, Aragon Mill ran through my head. It had been a fine afternoon.
Many thanks.
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alex39 1 year, 7 months ago
A Little Wine, A Little Music on Sunday Afternoon
Let me add my thanks as well! Thanks Guys!
Genie 1 year, 7 months ago
A Little Wine, A Little Music on Sunday Afternoon
The lyrics from Aragon Mill:
At the east end of town, At the foot of the hill, There's a chimney so tall It says Aragon Mill.
But there's no smoke at all, Coming out of the stack, For the mill has shut down, And is never coming back.
And the only tune I hear, Is the sound of the wind, As she blows through the town, Weave and spin, weave and spin.
There's no children playing In the dark narrow streets And the loom has shut down It's so quiet I can't sleep.
The mill has shut down, 'twas the only life I know, Tell me where will I go, Tell me where will I go.
And the only tune I hear, Is the sound of the wind, As she blows through the town, Weave and spin, weave and spin.
I'm too old to work, And I'm too young to die, Tell me where will I go now, My family and I.
joanne 1 year, 7 months ago
A Little Wine, A Little Music on Sunday Afternoon
This version of the lyrics is interesting. It's a bit different from the ones I've seen, and the one Chuck sings, but performers seem to make songs their own, and change a word or two. Do you know which is the version that Sammy Kahn first wrote? Here's one: ARAGON MILL (Si Kahn)
Chorus: And the only tune I hear, Is the sound of the wind, As it blows through the town, Weave and spin, weave and spin
At the east end of town, at the foot of the hill Stands a chimney so tall that says
Aragon Mill.But theres no smoke at all coming out of the stack. The mill has shut down and it aint a-coming back.Well, I
m too old to work, and Im too young to die. Tell me, where shall we go, My old gal and I? Theres no children at all in the narrow empty street. The mill has closed down; its so quiet I can`t sleep.Yes, the mill has shut down; it`s the only life I know Tell me, where will I go, Tell me, where will I go? And the only tune I hear, is the sound of the wind As it blows through the town, Weave and spin, weave and spin.
joanne 1 year, 7 months ago
A Little Wine, A Little Music on Sunday Afternoon
AND: You really haven't heard it unless you've had Chuck Egner sing it for you--just him and his Martin guitar. If you want to hear the real thing, we'll be glad to take you up to his winery anytime.
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