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Root, Seed, Thorn and Flower

by Anne Lister

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1.
All my life I’ve dreamt about islands, dreamt of the colours of the changing sea With the sails spread wide, the flowing tide, seagulls above me wheeling free And all my life I’ve dreamt about travelling, dreamt of journeys on my own With the flag set high, the open sky – tell my friends I’m sailing home. This is where the stories come from, these are the isles of lost content These are the isles of vanished glories, where the dreams of childhood went This is where the stories blossom, this is where my soul belongs This is where all pathways lead me, this is the home of true-found song. All my life I’ve dreamt about islands, dreamt of the colours of the changing sea With the sails spread wide, the flowing tide, seagulls above me wheeling free And all my life I’ve dreamt about travelling, dreamt of journeys on my own With the flag set high, the open sky – tell my friends I’m sailing home. I’ll sit here while sunset deepens as the stars climb high to shine Watch the moon like a silver beacon light the land that’s out of time I’ll sit here with poems scratching at the door to be let in Turn the past into sheaves of silver and gently bring the harvest in. All my life I’ve dreamt about islands, dreamt of the colours of the changing sea With the sails spread wide, the flowing tide, seagulls above me wheeling free And all my life I’ve dreamt about travelling, dreamt of journeys on my own With the flag set high, the open sky – tell my friends I’m sailing home. Tell my friends if they need to find me that I’ve found my home at last Here where sunlight joins the moonlight and the future joins the past This is where the stories blossom, this is where my soul belongs This is where all pathways lead me, this is the home of true-found song. All my life I’ve dreamt about islands, dreamt of the colours of the changing sea With the sails spread wide, the flowing tide, seagulls above me wheeling free And all my life I’ve dreamt about travelling, dreamt of journeys on my own With the flag set high, the open sky – tell my friends I’m sailing home.
2.
When we were children we played with the ball Down by the stables by the side of the hall And we sang songs of a love life long His brothers would smile and called me a child And Dickon laughed in the sun. And I remember how we would dance He said I would be the High Queen of France His brother would be king, and he would be The leader of all of the king’s army And Dickon laughed in the sun. And I remember one game we played He was a prince and I was a serving maid I don’t remember why I was afraid He’d turn aside, and I’d run and hide He’d have to search hard but I’d end in his arms And in his arms I’d be safe. And still I remember the silence in the air When he picked from the garden a rose for my hair It pricked him and he bled, and the white rose turned red For a while we stood still and the warm air turned chill And Dickon laughed in the sun. But the game I remember, that stays with me most Is when he fought the Welsh boy who came by to boast He slipped and fell down, and the cheap tin-plate crown That he wore just for fun caught the beams of the sun And hung in a thicket of thorns. When we were children we played with the ball Down by the stables by the side of the hall And we sang songs of a love life long His brothers would smile and called me a child And Dickon laughed in the sun.
3.
Over the sea the sun is now setting, Leaving a streak of blood red in the sky The only sound now the lonely waves lapping And far above us one lone seagull’s cry All of the glamour of shields, swords and armour, All shrunk to nothing in the last rays of day All of the war cries of the last battle, All of the bloodstains are now washed away. Tell me the tales of the warriors and heroes, Tell me sad stories of the deaths of the kings All of them subjects for myths and for legends, All of the songs for your minstrels to sing And where are they now the men who should hear them All gone like autumn leaves to rot in their graves Leaving their farms and their lands to lie empty Leaving sad widows and fatherless babes. And decade by decade the memory grows dimmer Of the reasons for fighting and how just was the cause Of the men in each army, except for the leaders And who were the winners of these minor wars And where are the borders that you died defending? Where are the lands that you won and lost? All of the ideals that men fought and died for Vanished into time, while time counts the cost. Stand by the shore now and hear the sea counting Watch the froth of red from the rays of the sun Think how little’s changed since the battle was fought here Try to find a battle that really was won. Try to find a reason for the building of weapons Try to find some justice for the slaughter of men Try to put a value on the world and its future And they’ll give you reasons for murder again.
4.
When I woke the sun was shining And across the cliffs the clouds had rolled away Another clear sunny day for going on journeys away And I kissed my friends and family Trying to hold back a sense of fear Swallowing all my tears that come from travelling alone. And all of my journeys turn out to be Ways to discover, new ways to see Find the key to the mystery, trying to bring the lost child home. And last night I thought I’d found it Pushed the door of fairyland ajar I’d been travelling far, and now the journey was done But I sat in the enchantment Heard the music weave a sleeping spell And I knew too well the road was leading me on. And all of my journeys turn out to be Ways to discover, new ways to see Find the key to the mystery, trying to bring the lost child home. Everyone of us has pathways. Everyone of us could find a guiding star Some of us travel far, and some need to stay at home And the end of all our journeysis to find a new adventure to begin A new battle to win, but we only fight alone. And all of my journeys turn out to be Ways to discover, new ways to see Find the key to the mystery, trying to bring the lost child home.
5.
Midwinter 04:09
In the heart of midwinter a small child is born Blood on the snow, the dark of the night When all the fabric of this world is torn A child will come, to put things to right. And all that you know is that you are seeking A hero, a king, or maybe a god And all that you know is that you are keeping His life and his throne and his sword. In the heart of midwinter the danger is near Blood on the snow, the dark of the night Not much to see and still less to hear But all around you the absence of light And all that you know is that you are needed A champion, a fighter, or maybe a friend The times that are coming when you have succeeded Will shine in the darkness from here to the end. In the heart of midwinter it seems time stands still Blood on the snow, the dark of the night Twelve days of feasting to sweeten the pill Taking a rest from the bitterest fight And all that you know is that you must do this Standing beside him, his own sister’s son And give him the proof in your life and your kiss That you will stand for him, for he is the one. In the heart of midwinter a small child is born Blood on the snow, the dark of the night When all the fabric of this world is torn A child will come, to put things to right.
6.
Ragnall 02:50
There are many routes through the forest Many pathways to find And some lead you deeper in thinking Some lead you deeper in time. And I’ll be here at the crossroads Just when you thought you were lost And I can give you the answer If you can afford what it costs. If you’re a king or a hero Or a traveller on some secret quest I can give you two choices And you’ll have to choose which is best One answer leads you in circles The other shows a straight line All that you need is your courage I’ll only demand what is mine. Will you choose daytime or night time Will you choose maiden or crone Will you choose winter or summer Will you walk with friends or alone Will you choose to marry a nightmare Will you dare to kiss what you fear Will you keep all of your promise Even when the axe blade comes near? My sister dresses in moonbeams With a sickle blade in her hand My brother dances with feathers And marries the queen of the land My mother stands at the doorway To wish you hallo or farewell My lamed father sits at his fishing And what he thinks no one can tell. There are many routes through the forest And just when you think that you’re lost I’ll be here at the crossroads If you can afford what it costs.
7.
I will dance the sun rise, the first clear light of morning The mist is in the meadows and the breath is in the trees I will dance the day break, the rosy reds of dawning The birds have started calling, so rise, my dear. Then I will dane at midday, all in my finest glory The hero of your story, and the lover of your dreams I will dance the warrior, defender and protector You called me and I answer, so dance, my dear. I will dance the sunset, the pulling down of twilight The bringer of the firelight, the kindler of the flame I will be your lover, til this long night is over We’ll dance this dance together, come close, my dear.
8.
Four Queens 03:42
Lay him gently down, let the wind fill the sail Lay him gently down, let him take his long sleep Lay him gently down, let the future tell his tale And four queens will take the king to the islands of the deep. Day turns to evening, green turns to grey Day turns to evening, sun gives way to moon Day turns to evening, all glories fade away The land has lost its colour and the song has lost its tune. Four queens of Avalon, clothed all in black Four queens of Avalon to guard the king’s sleep Four queens of Avalon to carry him back And take him far away to the kingdom of the deep. Now in the darkness we’ll hold on to the dream Now in the darkness look for a candle flame Now in the darkness find a flowing stream And four queens will watch the king until he wakes again.
9.
I sent the king a puzzle, Merlin did the same See the king of England try to win the enchanted game There’s a sword and a scabbard – which one will you choose? Kings must fight battles – they can’t afford to lose. The sword or the scabbard, the fabric or the steel See the king lie wriggling like a fish against the reel The sword or the scabbard, the knife edge or the sheath See the king debating to kiss or bare his teeth. The sword kills all before it, the scabbard saves and heals Fighting men leave deserts, the women bind and seal The holding power is greatest though the cutting power leaves scars It takes a man with vision to look ahead so far. Merlin on the roadside, the lady in the lake Morgause in your bedroom, dragons before you wake Look beyond the surface, look hard at the clues The sword or the scabbard – which one will you choose?
10.
I have four sisters beyond the sea (Perrie, merrie, dixie, domine) And these are the gifts they sent to me (Perrie, merrie, dixie, domine) Petrum, partrum, paradisie, temporie. (Perrie, merrie, dixie, domine) The first sent a chicken without a bone The second sent a cherry without a stone The third sent a book no man can read The fourth sent a blanket without a thread. How can there be a chicken without a bone How can there be a cherry without a stone How can there be a book no man can read How can there be a blanket without a thread When the chicken’s in the eggshell there is no bone When the cherry’s in the bud there is no stone When the book’s in the press no man can read When the blanket’s in the fleece there is no thread. I have a sister beyond the sea (Rowan, birch and apple tree) These are the gifts she sent to me. She sent me a knife with a curving blade She sent me moonlight without shade She sent me power in a crystal key She sent me wisdom and the gift to see. She sent me Waste Lands to make whole She sent me healing in a silver bowl. She sent me a crown to make me queen Of the future and what has been.
11.
Taliesin 02:49
I have seen where the rainbows end, and I’ve seen time’s wheel turning And I can tell you this my friend, the lessons still need learning I have been a grain of corn and I have been a river I was here when the world was born, I’ve been gift and I’ve been giver. I hve been a spark of flame, and I have been an ember I have found them much the same, January and December I’ve known man as a helpless child and as a king in power Love and anger fierce and mild, the root, seed, thorn and flower. But do you know why breath comes and goes, and where shadows go in sunlight Do you know why the rivers flow and which plants grow by starlight? I have been where the red kite flies and where the whales are dying And I have seen through a dolphin’s eyes and I’m not convinced we’re trying.
12.
Round 03:26
Take my hand, the barren land is waiting for renewal Sweet soft May will point the way and soften all that’s cruel Sing the summer, sing the fire, sing the first fruits, raise them higher Now we remember mists of November.
13.
The Lady 03:28
This is the land of the Mother, this is the land of the giver of breath This is the land of the bringer of death, this is where she belongs This is the land of the healer, this is the land of the weaver of threads This is the land of the spinner of webs, this is where she’ll return. How do you know, I asked of her, how do you know what can’t be seen? I’m surprised at you, she answered me, we meet her in our dreams. How can you hear her, she asked me, how can you hear with what’s going on How can you wonder that it’s all gone wrong when you can’t hear the Lady call? How can you see her, she asked me, how can you see her through all these walls How can you wonder if you stumble and fall when you can’t see your mother’s arms? The earth is our mother, she told me, the earth is our mother, her dreams are yours She sheds her blood in all your wars, her waters are salt with tears And hear your mother calling, hear your mother is calling you home She lets you wander and travel alone but now she needs us all. How do you know, I asked of her, how do you know what can’t be seen? I’m surprised at you, she answered me, we meet her in our dreams. Come back to the centre, she told me, come back to the centre and feel your heart Don’t you feel you’ve been torn apart, you’re wandering far from home? Her web holds the whole world together, the threads are so slender, fine and strong I you break even one the pain travels on, the Lady is waiting for you. How do you know, I asked of her, how do you know what can’t be seen? I’m surprised at you, I’ll tell you now – I’ve seen her in my dreams.
14.
Now lords and ladies, blithe and bold, to bless you all here now am I bound I thank you all a thousand fold and pray God save you whole and sound Where’er you go on grass or ground, may He you guide that nought you grieve For friendship here that I have found, against my will I take my leave. For friendship and for favours good, for meat and drink you heaped on me The Lord that raised was on the rood now keep you comely company On sea or land where’er you be, may He you guide that nought you grieve Such fair delightyou laid on me, against my will I take my leave. Against my will although I went, I may not always tarry here For everything must have an end and even friends must part I fear Be we beloved however dear, out of this world death us will reave And when we brought are to our bier against our will we take our leave. Now good day to you, goodmen all, and good day to you, young and old And good day to you, great and small, and grammercy a thousand fold. If ought there were that dear you hold, full fain I would that deed achieve Now Christ you keep from sorrows cold, for now at last I take my leave.
15.
The sun is sinking down and darkness fills the room So put down your shuttle, Madelon, leave your loom Time to go home, time to go home. It’s time to cut the thread, it’s time to leave your weaving The good times aren’t all dead, there’s no excuse for grieving. Time to go home, time to go home. I’ve watched the grapes ripen and turn into wine Picked fruit tree blossoms and let time pick mine Walked over bridges, watched the rivers flow The barges move downstream, silent and slow Time to go home, time to go home. It’s time to cut the thread, it’s time to leave your weaving The good times aren’t all dead, there’s no excuse for grieving. Time to go home, time to go home. You can’t live your life in an envelope of silk The easy life is fine, but you can’t change cheese to milk Time to go home, time to go home. I’ve watched the grapes ripen and turn into wine Picked fruit tree blossoms and let time pick mine Walked over bridges, watched the rivers flow The barges move downstream, silent and slow Time to go home, time to go home. The sun is sinking down and darkness fills the room So put down your shuttle, Madelon, leave your loom Time to go home, time to go home. But weave me one last thing – a handkerchief for my head First to dry my tears, and then to wrap round my bread. On the way home, on the way home.

about

The core of this album, recorded in 1997, is a collection of songs intended to reflect some of the stories of England and Wales. It was made possible by the generosity of two friends, Angela and Al.

credits

released April 29, 2022

All songs written, performed and produced by Anne Lister, who also plays guitar on most tracks.
Artwork by Cilla Conway.
Recorded at Overtones Studio by Liv Elliott (with additional tracks recorded at the Blue House Studios, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, engineered by David K).

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Anne Lister Wales, UK

Anne is best known for her song "Icarus", recorded and performed by a number of different singers, including Martin Simpson and Nic Jones. "Astrolabe" is her ninth solo album.

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