The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #84930 Message #3946140
Posted By: The Doctor
25-Aug-18 - 04:31 AM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Lapwing's Feather (Graeme Miles)
Subject: Lyr Add: LAPWING'S FEATHER (Graeme Miles)
The words as printed in Graeme's book 'Songscapes' are as follows:
v.1 The summer's passed into the winter
The tired old sun is late to rise
Frosty etchings on my window
The streams are silent under the ice
The trees are stark, the sky is clouded
Hard the clay beneath my feet
The fields with rook and crow are crowded
The year is all but over.
Goodbye old year you're now behind me
I'll often think of you and smile
For all in all you tret(sic) me kindly
You brought me love though just for a while.
v.2 Your spring was sweet, your spring was gentle
The winds of March and April's rain
Soothed my brow when I was troubled
And I was boyish once again
I gave my love a lapwing's feather
And she kissed me in return
Beside the burn we walked together
And the year was youthful then.
Goodby old year.....
v.3 Come the summer, such a summer,
Sun filled days and love filled nights.
Speckled shadows among the willows
Every hour a new delight.
Oh such joy when I was with her
Arm in arm and hand in hand
But golden days dulled into silver
For now the year was ageing.
Goodbye old year.....
v.4 Came the autumn, sad, sad autumn
When pale mist hung above the corn
In my heart a chill was creeping
A warning of the coming storm
Oh such loving I did give her
But then she turned and went her way
And as the leaves began to wither
I saw the year was dying.
Goodbye old year.....
v.5 Now the winter, bleak December
At my door a swirling squall
Flickering flames and glowing embers
Shadows dancing on the wall
In my mind I hear her laughter
Faint upon the sighing wind
I think of her, my hear beats faster
But now the year has passed and gone
Goodbye old year you're now behind me
You've gone your way I'll go mine
Both joy and sadness you've left inside me
You brought me love though for a short time.
This is the closest you are likely to get to an 'official' version. What Martyn sings will almost certainly vary from this, and probably from performance to performance. Such is the folk process. Don't worry too much about it. The important thing is to sing the song.