Keltic Lament

Image credit Dougy.

I wrote this song for my friend that lives on Orkney. He and his wife have had a rough year.
It was inspired by ‘Keltic Lament’ by John Foulds and can be sung to that melody although I do not for one moment claim it improves the moving music.

There’s a land surrounded with water that touches the sky,
Where the stars seem to shine more brightly as they wheel by,
There’s a land where the music will sound across the sea,
And there is where I’ll seek a home and peaceful harmony,
This land ever waits with a melody that’s old,
No voice ever sung such a symphony so bold,
Listen well it will call through the ages down to you,
It will tell tales of courage and hearts remaining true.

Where the cold winter days are short and nights are long,
And around a warming fireside there’s many sing a song,
Where a midsummer sun does not leave the sky at night,
And the moon is overwhelmed by the strength of his light,
Winds blow from the west across an ocean deep,
Giants from the depths rise and from the waters leap,
With a cry a white bird soars against a pale blue sky,
This is the land where I would rest and stay until I die.

This land ever waits with a melody that’s old,
No voice ever sung such a symphony so bold,
Listen well it will call through the ages down to you,
It will tell tales of courage and hearts remaining true.

For more pictures taken by Dougy see his website Snorri's Place.

Mellow Fruitfulness

My words hang on the clean morning air,
Like smiling ghosts that seemingly dare
To enjoy the music of a new season’s sun,
Sparkling with delight and dancing for fun,
Laughing and singing under bright rays,
Welcoming colourful autumnal days.

I see for a moment what is always there,
My breath sweeping into still morning air,
Carried before me on waves of sound,
Thoughts sail on a song their destiny found,
To live an allotted time in a chorus of voices,
Discovering chances and exploring choices.

Now whenever I speak I will always see
My words floating on melody away from me,
Distant yet still a part of my mind,
Never to leave their birthplace behind,
Forever playing the roles they’ve been given,
A record of thought made that cannot be riven.

Let the many songs I sing always be
Pleasing to the listener and like a symphony,
That varies with movements slow and fast,
Carry the emotions, in which they are cast,
Joy, happiness, anger and sorrow,
All have a place today for tomorrow.

Hamnavoe

Stromness (Hamnavoe) Harbour, Orkney.

Passing thoughts run wild through my mind
Like a river in flood, flowing
To an ocean memory, growing
Stronger, as with others they bind
The present with moments long past,
With such a torrent of regret
Where can satisfaction reside?
Where will overwhelming guilt hide?
Could future deeds settle the debt?

Who can swim against such a tide?
Like a salmon returning home
From deep waters, no more to roam
But fight to finally abide.
The beginning becomes the end,
A circle is closed and time takes
End to a beginning, then wakes
New life for courage to defend.

So send shafts of steel high and wide,
Build a haven between straight poles,
Round which wind and rain merely rolls,
Lay brick on brick their strength as guide,
Sing the song an open mind heard,
Hold unconquered love wide and high,
A heart full of hope shall not sigh,
Watch a home grow with every word.

Who turned out the Light?

Who turned out the light?
A child is now sleeping,
And angels are keeping
Guard through this dark night.

Did you hear the cries?
The wind demands to know,
Lightening shafts show
Where silence now lies.

Did you see the tears?
Without any end flow,
Bathing bruises below
Eyes haunted by fears.

Through the falling rain,
A dream is set free,
And you shall never see
This child’s like again.


I wrote this in response to posts on .Indigo's journal I have no photograph to upload but the words paint the picture. Please use the link and read her words.

Beyond Light Speed

Steal softly into the lingering night,
Walk under stars displaying their might,
A waning moon sings to a morning air,
The sun slumbers in his autumnal lair,
Touch summer’s last sigh in a breathless breeze,
Hear winter whisper through the weary trees.

Time holds the shadows of yesterday,
Let us hear what its’ light had to say,
The worm can be caught by the early bird,
Wisdom is captured by an unspoken word,
The best composers take the past and bring today
Such music that tomorrow shall always play,

I have heard the music that can rise above pain,
I have been given a chance to live again,
My song is buried in betrayal and lies,
Yet my words will live until all truth dies…

Requiem

This may not rhyme but give it time
To tell a tale that’s full of woe,
There was once a brave tall ship,
Sailing where no one has gone before,
Carrying a precious virtual dream,
Fighting her way against the stream,
Always opening the next locked door,
Only trying her level best to equip
Leaders so that they might show
Loyalty and honour is the way to go,
Instead the ship was loaded with rats,
I know about them they feed on waste,
Then in lean times desert their host,
And I know which I loathe the most,
Of incessant greed of rats or their taste,
Lies and rumours, betrayal by blind bats,
Hide your guilt and desert this dream,
Float away on a faster running stream,
Who is your Captain? Are they fit to lead?
What are their laws? Can they even read?
What will you do when the north wind blows?
Seek another ship? Where? Who cares or even knows?
This ship may die, but I will stay,
If only her requiem to silently say,
You tried your best that is all any can do,
Rest in peace; let me lie alongside you.
And when the sun sets on your voyage of discovery,
Only your lights will be left behind,
Leaving a trail for truth and recovery,

Life after Death

Old dying tree
Should I cry for thee?
Oh no! Nor should anyone weep for me.
Your stature shows,
In your death throws,
What you have seen only heaven knows,

With new light won,
A sapling, your son,
Has been watching everything you’ve done.
The future’s called him,
From the forest floor dim,
With time he will match you, limb for limb.
A child I see,
And my thoughts shall be,
That he shall grow even greater than thee.