Lyr Req: Willow Creek (Steve Tilston)

Subject: Lyr Req: Willow Creek by Steve Tilston
From: GUEST,Jamie O'Brien
Date: 28 May 09 - 03:20 PM

I've been looking for the lyrics to Steve Tilston's Willow Creek for some time now but have had no luck. Unfortunately, I don't understand his accent, so I can't work them out from the album. Can anyone help?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Willow Creek by Steve Tilston
From: michaelr
Date: 28 May 09 - 08:40 PM

Steve Tilston has an accent??   ;-)

Having listened to the song on his MySpace page, I see what you mean - on first hearing I can make out only about half of the words. And they're not in his published songbook.

Why not contact him through his website or MySpace and ask?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Willow Creek by Steve Tilston
From: irishenglish
Date: 28 May 09 - 10:35 PM

It's on Fairport Convention's album Over The Next Hill as well. Lyrics are printed there, but I don't have it in front of me

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Willow Creek by Steve Tilston
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 29 May 09 - 08:50 PM

I remember the "Battle of Willow Creek, California" when the locals of said town and the "Hell's Angels" did a country dance in the streets.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Willow Creek by Steve Tilston
From: Peace
Date: 30 May 09 - 04:16 PM

'"Willow Creek"

Willow Creek is a real place in Ohio: it inspired Chris Parkinson to compose the tune to which Steve wrote the ballad of an encounter with a mysterious female. Though the majority of Steve's writing sits outside the folk tradition, he has created a number of songs which are often introduced as folksongs by performers unaware of their source.

The Naked Highwayman and Slipjigs & Reels fall into that category, both of which, like this song, have been recorded by Fairport Convention.'

Couldn't locate lyrics.

Subject: Lyr Add: WILLOW CREEK (Steve Tilston)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 01 Jun 09 - 12:04 AM

Here's my attempt at a transcription from the recording at Steve Tilston's MySpace page:


WILLOW CREEK
Steve Tilston

1. Over the brow she came
Low on a nut-brown mare
She and the mare as one
Just like the mane was her hair
... was the hoof-beat ...
Beating just as one
Bounding past where I stood
Pounding the earth like a drum

2. I swear she called my name
Just when she caught my eye
That's when she stole my heart
As she went thundering by
Down to the water's edge
Down where the willows weep
Pausing none(?) one blink
Over with one mighty leap

3. Up through the wooded slopes
Longing(?) to stand and stare
Trying to catch a glimpse
Of the girl on the nut-brown mare
Beating the dappled wings
Swifter than any dart
Trying to mouth the words
Hey bring me back my heart

4. Along the road they came
Five of King George's men
Blood on their silver spurs
Tell us the way that she went
Down to the willow creek
Down where the waters flow
Pointing the way downstream
That was the way I saw her go

5. Off like the hounds of hell
Splashing along the stream
Drenching [or "pinching"?] my very skin
To know that it wasn't all a dream
When up on the highest ridge
Something caught my eye
That girl on the nut-brown mare
Was waving to me against the sky

6. Hey bring me back my heart
How did she know my name
Scrambling up the slope
Trying to reach her all in vain
Hey bring me back my heart
How did she know my name
The girl on the nut-brown mare
I never did see her again

7. Over the brow she came
Low on her nut-brown mare
She and the mare as one
Just like the mane was her hair


[Recorded by Fairport Convention on "Over the Next Hill" (2004) and "Off the Desk" (2008); John Kirkpatrick on "Bringing in the Steves" (2007); Steve Tilston on "Starting at the Time" (2007) and "Reaching Back: The Life and Music of Steve Tilston" (2007).]

Subject: Lyr Add: WILLOW CREEK (Steve Tilston)
From: Reinhard
Date: 01 Jun 09 - 05:48 AM

These are the words from Fairport Convention's "Over the Next Hill" booklet:

WILLOW CREEK
Steve Tilston

1. Over the brow she came low on a nut brown mare
She and the mare as one, just like the mane was her hair
Loud were the the hoof beats, hard beating just as one
Pounding past where I stood pounding the earth like a drum.

2. I swear she called my name, just when I caught her eye
That's when she stole my heart as she went thundering by
Down to the water's edge, down where the willows weep
Pausing not one blink, over in one mighty leap

3. Up through the wooded slopes on then to stand and stare
Trying to catch a glimpse of the girl on the nut brown mare
Between the dappled leaps, swifter than any dart
Trying to mouth the words: “Hey, bring me back my heart”

4. Along the road they came, five of King George's men
Blood on their silver spurs tell us the way that she went
Down at the willow creek above the waters flow
Pointing away down stream, that was the way I saw her go

5. Off like the hounds of hell splashing along the stream
Pinching my very skin to know that it wasn't all a dream
Upon the highest ridge something caught my eye
The girl on the nut brown mare was waving to me against the sky

6. Hey bring me back my heart, how did she know my name?
Scrambling up the slope trying to reach her all in vain
Hey bring me back my heart, how did she know my name?
The girl on the nut brown mare, I'll never see her again

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Willow Creek by Steve Tilston
From: GUEST,Jamie O'Brien
Date: 01 Jun 09 - 02:32 PM

Thanks folks, I really appreciate the answers, especially finally getting the lyrics, too! It's a lovely song.

Jamie