Do the Solstice Swing

But it really starts with the solstice. A good North American tune is the oldie but goldie by Jerry Keller, “Here Comes Summer”. A true solstice number. Toronto’s own John Sebastian, with his band The Lovin’ Spoonful (of what, the cynic wonders) performed the classic “Summer in the City”. Not the best place, though, to be, cannot light a fire in a public square unless you are a rioter. Or in a park if you are temporarily experiencing homelessness. Different rules for some people. (And what is jaanipäev without a fire?)

Oh, there are so many more summer songs. Countless Beach Boy compositions. The maligned and somewhat hokey soft rock “Summer Breeze” by Seals & Crofts. Which, when followed by the Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood duet “Summer Wine” is a tolerable listen.

We Estos have many traditions at the beginning of summer. Many have to do with singing, others with swinging. A person who has not gone around the axle of an Estonian village swing has not lived. Best to avoid the potent home brew before hand, speaking from experience. But afterward,...