‘Delius (Song Of Summer)’ is a song written by Kate Bush as a tribute to the English composer Frederick Delius. The song was inspired by Ken Russell’s film Song of Summer, made for the BBC’s programme Omnibus, which Kate had watched when she was ten years old. In his twenties, Delius contracted syphilis. When he became wheelchair bound as he became older, a young English admirer Eric Fenby volunteered his services as unpaid amanuensis. Between 1928 and 1933 he took down his compositions from dictation, and helping him revise earlier works.The song was released on the album Never For Ever and as the B-side of the single Army Dreamers.
Music video
A music video for ‘Delius’ exists, which was shown on television at least twice: during a Dr. Hook television special on 7 April 1980 and during the Russell Harty Show on 25 November 1980. The setting is a quiet, lazy English riverbank filled with reeds and grass. By the bank is a wheelchair-ridden old man, his body covered by a throw-rug, his head obscured by a large yellow disk resembling a sun. This figure presents an image of Delius much like the one which was depicted in the BBC television film by Ken Russell. Gliding along on the river is a young swan-girl, represented by Kate in a gossamer white gown with wings.
Cover versions
‘Delius (Song of Summer)’ was covered by Heavy Pet, Yuri Kono and Ylangylang.
Kate about ‘Delius (Song Of Summer)’
‘Delius’ is a tribute to an extraordinary man both in body and spirit.
Kate Bush Club newsletter, September 1980
Lyrics
Ooh, he’s a moody old man
Song of summer in his hand
Ooh, he’s a moody old man
…in…in…in his hand
…in his hand
“Hmm.”
Ooh, ah, ooh, ah,
Delius,
Delius amat
Syphilus,
Deus,
Genius, ooh.
To be sung of a summer night on the water
Ooh, on the water
“Ta, ta-ta!
Hmm.
Ta, ta-ta!
In B, Fenby!”
To be sung of a summer night on the water
Ooh, on the water
On the water
Credits
Percussion: Roland
Delius, sitar: Paddy Bush
Electric guitar: Alan Murphy
Bass voices: Paddy Bush, Ian Bairnson
Additional percussion: Preston Heyman
