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Singing on the Wind

from Singing on the Wind by Anne Lister

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Walking down from a stone circle on a high ridge, the sky changing with every gust of wind. Beara, February 1999.

lyrics

I could write this down in fancy words, but I prefer them plain
As I watch the sunlight disappear into the clouds and rain
As I watch the mountains dance with me, and the pathway spirals down
And I leave the high clean places for the dirty streets of town.

I could write this song on paper, but I prefer the wind
Write the words on leaves or stones or sticks, it's all the same to sing
But the land that loves to listen to an old tale told out loud
Are the rocks and trees and standing stones beneath winds and passing clouds.

The land knows the finest stories once you teach yourself to hear
The tale comes singing on the wind if you unblock your ears
You can't hear it in the city, you can't hear it through the din
Though the town too has its history and its own sad song to sing.

You know they're cutting down the forest, they're digging up the land
The ones who've blocked their hearing and who've failed to understand
If you cut away the tap root the strongest tree will die
You'll lose the songs and stories, you won't need to wonder why.

So come walking down the old roads, come stepping on the grass
Come and listen to the heather, come and listen to your past
You won't need your machinery, it comes singing on the wind
And you'll find in every hedgerow there's another tale to sing.

credits

from Singing on the Wind, released August 5, 2021
Mike O'Connor - fiddle. Terry Mann - bass guitar. Steafan Hannigan - Scottish small pipes.

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about

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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