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The Small Black Cat

from Waiting for the Hero by Anne Lister

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about

Based on an old Irish story, I think, which I found in the Folklore Society Library— but I’ve mislaid the notes for
the source of the story. If anyone can enlighten me, please do. These days I find myself thinking instead of the
small black and white cat who would bring me tributes of small rodents (but didn’t grill them) and who would
dance for me. And yes, the tune it goes into is Sellenger’s Round. Briefly.

lyrics

There were three noble clerics, there were brothers three
Who one day decided to sail across the sea
“Oh what will you take with you, what food and drink and all
To keep you from all hunger and keep you from the cold?”
And first up spoke the oldest of all the brothers three
“I need no heavy luggage when I sail across the sea.
I will pray on the waters and on the flowing tide
And I do believe and trust that the Lord will provide.”
And then spoke the second clerk of the brothers three
“All that you have spoken seems quite correct to me.
We will pray to God’s glory as we sail upon the tide
And in some mysterious way, God will provide.”
And then up spoke the youngest, and he spoke with a sigh
“I’m sure God is Lord of all between the sea and sky.
I believe in God’s goodness and yet in spite of that
I will bring along with me the small black cat.”
A long way they journeyed, a long summer’s day
Until they spied an island and there knelt down to pray
And down on their knees they prayed, the brothers three
And all the while the small black cat sat beside the sea.
And then the youngest brother woke from his trance
And watched as the small black cat began to weave and dance
And out of the water he watched a salmon leap
And the cat brought the fish to him, held between his teeth.
“Oh look” cried the youngest, “See how the Lord is good!
He makes the cat a messenger to bring to us some food!”
“Oh no,” cried the others, “How could this be right?
And the cat brought the fish to him, held between his teeth.
“Oh look” cried the youngest, “See how the Lord is good!
He makes the cat a messenger to bring to us some food!”
“Oh no,” cried the others, “How could this be right?
Be still now and pray again – the Lord will provide.”
Then hunger brought the youngest again out of his trance
He watched as the small black cat began to weave and dance.
And upon a bed of charcoal the salmon fish was fried
And alone among his brothers the youngest brother cried.
And then before eating the youngest brother sang
For all of God’s creatures and for his fellow man
He prayed and he sang for faith and charity
And all the while the small black cat danced beside the sea.

credits

from Waiting for the Hero, released February 4, 2022
Anne—vocals and guitar. Mike—fiddle and concertina. Matt—clarinet.
Steafan—mysterious snarebourine. Don’t ask.

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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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