Music - Westsongs

Island Heartbeat

Write a CommentAugust 16, 2016August 16, 2022

Dance version of ‘Island heart’ from Music from Holy Vale. It’s very laid back but with the piano mantra of the original supported by a drumbeat the whole thing feels much lighter.

The vocals are by Amy Clapinson, Ruth Egglestone and Louisa Page from Crediton.

Island heartbeat - Lyrics

In the middle of an island floating somewhere in the sea
There’s a heart made of ivy, light and green, and water
And the birdsong in the stillness as the dusk begins to fall
Ushers in to the world a place of dreams
And peace descends on Holy Vale

In the darkness there is movement there is growth and life and play
And decay as the old becomes the newly born

In the darkness there is movement and decay
In the moonlight there’s a cold light on the leaves and wood
In the middle of an island floating somewhere in the sea
Holy Vale, Holy Vale
And the light, and the dark, Holy Vale

And the sun rise brings a new day giving colour to the trees
As it breathes in the magic of the dawn
The place of the heart
Holy Vale

Swan Plane

Write a CommentJuly 17, 2016August 17, 2022

Sorry about the quality of this recording, but nevertheless I wanted to post this song as it means a lot to me. This tune has stuck with me for years and surfaced in several different ways – this recording is the second version. It was originally written on a harmonium in the South Africa Hare Krishna Temple where I stayed in 1976/77.

A few years later in London I went into a studio with some friends to make this recording. It’s hard to imagine, but that was really the only viable way at the time – no portastudios existed and home recording was just a dream waiting to happen.

The friends:

George Mitchell on guitar, who really gave me the confidence to make it happen.
Warrick Sony on tabla.
Pippa Hardman on vocals.

I already played with George in the fabulous Fighting Pigeons – somewhere there are other tracks with him singing which I would dearly love to find, but they may be lost to time now. Warrick was on holiday from South Africa after finishing his national service, emerging from the army as an amazing musician. Pippa, I had heard sing in The Rocky Horror Show (she played Janet at Kings Road & Comedy Theatres), and I just knew her voice was perfect for this song. I don’t think I’d have the gall to do it now, but I just asked if she would sing and … she said yes!

You can hear my other takes on the theme here – ‘Breathing the city‘
and here: ‘Cherry Blossom‘

Swan Plane - Lyrics

Swan bird, they say the gods ride on your wings
Remembering ancient lives of ancient kings
The man whose power shone just like the sun through clouds
The man whose flesh and blood had been devoured by ants

Swan bird, I saw your shape against the night
Telling of the man’s ascetic fight
The man whose breathing ceased and turned the heavens cold
The man whose weight increased and changed the planet’s poles

Swan bird, your form alights on the lake
Swan plane, come for all the planets sake
The man who hold our lives is pacified by you
The man becomes a giant, becomes as strong as you

Before Time

Write a CommentOctober 16, 2014August 16, 2022

I created this for my mum’s memorial service – she died in 2011.

For me, writing the song was a really good way of sorting out my feelings and helping me to focus on my grief, when there were so many other pulls on my time and attention. Sorting through old photos and adding the slides has given the song another dimension, and invites me to come back, listen, watch, remember …

The “Before time” phrase, and a few fragments of the lines first came to me some years ago on a retreat, but I’d never found a place for them.

Before time - Lyrics

Before time there were children
Tears and laughter and your love
And we knew you were always there
And when the springtime brings new leaf upon the tree we’ll remember

Before time there was an island
We’d go walking on the edge of the world
And it felt like time was on our side
And I know when the sun shines on a clear blue sea, I’ll remember

Paddling down in Old Town Bay
A memory now from years away
You and dad
Why can’t we stay this way forever
Reading quietly in your chair
Some aches, some pains, silver hair
I can hold your hand but I can’t stop the passing of the years
And you will always be beautiful to me

Before time there was a garden
Full of flowers and all those birds
Now when they sing I will hear your joy
Mary Eileen, wife and mother, woman wise, woman lover, friend and child, we’ll remember
And we will hold you in our hearts as we say goodbye
And you will know how much we love you by the way we live our lives
Now it’s time to say goodbye

The Rain Song

Write a CommentApril 17, 2014August 17, 2022

This is the Rain Song, created at the beginning of 2014 when it was raining … a LOT. Actually I dreamed it – woke up with it rattling round my head.

I actually don’t mind the rain, although some times it can be pretty relentless around here. That said, being on the side of a hill we do get off lightly, however hard it rains, unlike other parts of the UK. January and February 2014 were a particular nightmare for some folks. Despite the flippant tone of The Rain Song we’re not forgetting that here.