If St Paul's day be fair and clear
Nursery Rhyme
Lyrics, Origins and History

The words and lyrics of the nursery rhyme 'If St Paul's day be fair and clear' is a day on which the superstitious believe the weather can be predicted as in St. Swithin's day. Saul, renamed Paul, was born at Tarsus in Cilicia of a father who was a Roman citizen. His conversion to Christianity led to Paul's correspondence with the Corinthians which formed part of the "Acts" in the Bible. The Feast of Saint Paul is celebrated on 29th June.

There are several rhymes of this nature, some of which also have significant historical relevance such as:

If Candlemas day (2 February) be dry and fair
St. Swithin's day if thou dost rain

The picture is of St Paul's Cathedral
in London during the early
19th century - dedicated
to Saint Paul

If St Paul's day be fair and clear

Nursery Rhyme lyrics, origins and history

If St Paul's day (29 June) be fair and clear
It does betide a happy year
But if it chance to snow or rain
Then will be dear all kinds of grain

If clouds or mists do dark the sky
Great store of birds and beasts shall die
And if the winds do file aloft
Then war shall vex the kingdom oft.

If St Paul's day be fair and clear

Nursery Rhyme lyrics, origins and history

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Nursery rhyme lyrics and possible origins may vary according to location