Jeri,

Sorry, I don't know how to put the music online, but here are the complete words of the song. I live near Avebury in Wiltshire so obviously the references are to the ancient Ridgeway Long Distance Footpath, the Avebury Prehistoric Site (largest stone circle in Europe), Wayland's Smithy (an ancient burial mound where legend says if you leave an unshod horse tethered overnight with a silver coin it will be shod in the morning). The whole area abounds with ancient sacred sites and the chalk downland is very, very beautiful. The white horses are carved in the hillside and packed with the natural chalk, some say they originally dated back to prehistory when Epona the horse goddess was worshipped in the region. I never believe that summer has arrived though until I hear the song of the lark ascending into the sky.

ANCIENT PATHWAYS

When I feel that life is troubled
Pressure looming from all sides
Give me just the simple pleasures
Give me space in which to hide
When the bustle of the city
Gets too much for me to bear
Then I seek the ancient pathways
Where my soul can take the air

Ch. Give me the sight of the green rolling hills
The sky a clear blue overhead
Give me the song of the lark as it soars
Give me soft turf for my bed

Up above the urban valleys
There's a land that's green and free
It's been there since time immortal
It's still there for you and me
Ancient paths up on the ridges
Weave a web across the land
Safe and sure our forebears travelled
With no fear of other's hand

Ch.

Close beside the timeless ridgeway
Lie the sacred sites of yore
Wayland waits within his smithy
To shoe a horse both firm and sure
A'bury's circle holds the power
Of the moon and of the sun
Follow the lines into the centre
Where all hearts can join as one

Ch.

Clumps of trees on rounded hilltops
Chalk white horses on their side
Earthwork castles reaching skyward
Barrows long and round beside
Troubles soothed I travel homeward
On the tracks across the downs
Deep within the peace I carry
That cannot be found in towns

Ch.

© Pauline Iason 21.6.2000


Pauline