Lyr ADD: Time is a Tempest (Broomhall/Thompson)

Subject: Time is a Tempest
From: Chicky
Date: 21 Aug 00 - 08:03 PM

Hi all

I'm after the lyrics for a song that I've heard Martin Pearson and John Thomson do - and which crops up at sessions every now and then. I think it's called Time is a Tempest, and the lyrics in the chorus are (I think):

Time is a tempest and we are all travellers,
we are all travellers, we are all travellers.
Time is a tempest and we are all travellers,
travelling through the storm.

Anyone know the verses?

Many thanks
- Chicky

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Time is a Tempest
From: Callie
Date: 21 Aug 00 - 08:47 PM

I think John Thompson wrote it. Can't help with the verses though.

Peace Callie

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Time is a Tempest
From: Chicky
Date: 21 Aug 00 - 09:10 PM

Sorry Callie - it's apparently by a person called J. Broomhall, not John Thomson.

Thanks for trying. You going to the gig tonight?

- Chicky

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Time is a Tempest
From: phil jl
Date: 22 Aug 00 - 02:15 AM

I seem to recall a verse something like this:

So lift up your voices and sing through the wind and rain
Sing through the wind and rain
Lift up your voices and sing through the wind and rain
Travelling through the storm

It's a good song, I would also be interested if anyone has more words.

Phil

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Time is a Tempest
From: Lena
Date: 22 Aug 00 - 03:25 AM

I heard it sung in Canberra.How about walking down in the Valley Brisbane on a tuesday night and ansking John Tompson?! Hang on a sec.There is a fanzine called "The Folk Rag" in Brisbane and it's published online by Queensland folkies.I'm sure you'll find who to ask to.I can't find the URL now,but it should be easy to find.Try on the Australian folk federation website ,among the links...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Time is a Tempest
From: Chicky
Date: 22 Aug 00 - 07:11 PM

Thanks Phil, and Lena. I found The Folk Rag here, so I'll ask them if they know how to get in touch with John.

Any other verses still welcome!

Cheers
- Chicky

Subject: Lyr Add: TIME IS A TEMPEST
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 27 Jan 12 - 11:52 PM

TIME IS A TEMPEST
John Broomhall / John Thompson
As sung by Cloudstreet on "Dance up the Sun" (2008)

Time is a tempest and we are all travellers.
We are all travellers; we are all travellers.
Time is a tempest and we are all travellers,
Travelling through the storm.

Our cities are crowded; our forests are falling,
War clouds above, angry voices are calling.
Five minutes to midnight is no time for stalling.
It's time to share our load.

So lift up your voices and sing of the wind and rain.
Sing of the wind and rain; sing of the wind and rain.
Lift up your voices and sing of the wind and rain,
Travelling through the storm.

For time is a tempest and we are all travellers.
We are all travellers; we are all travellers.
Time is a tempest and we are all travellers,
Travelling through the storm.

They've poisoned the oceans; they've dammed the great rivers.
They've killed all the jungles; they're takers, not givers.
They call it progress; well, it gives me the shivers.
We're in for a winter that's cold.

So lift up your voices and sing of the wind and rain.
Sing of the wind and rain; sing of the wind and rain.
Lift up your voices and sing of the wind and rain,
Travelling through the storm.

For time is a tempest and we are all travellers.
We are all travellers; we are all travellers.
Time is a tempest and we are all travellers,
Travelling through the storm.

So brothers and sisters, we'll join hands together.
With love in our struggle, we'll face the foul weather.
And when the sun shines through, under blue skies we'll gather.
Our journey will take us home.

So lift up your voices and sing of the wind and rain.
Sing of the wind and rain; sing of the wind and rain.
Lift up your voices and sing of the wind and rain,
Travelling through the storm.

For time is a tempest and we are all travellers.
We are all travellers; we are all travellers.
Time is a tempest and we are all travellers,
Travelling through the storm.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWF1y-h1mys

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Time is a Tempest
From: Joe Offer
Date: 28 Jan 12 - 01:07 AM

John Thompson has posted this song for free download at Australian Folk Song a Day.
He says the song was by John Broomhall, with additional lyrics by John Thompson.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Time is a Tempest
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 28 Jan 12 - 03:46 AM

one of the best songs for a roomfull of singers!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Time is a Tempest
From: GUEST,Canberra Chris
Date: 29 Jan 12 - 12:52 AM

Indeed!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Time is a Tempest
From: JennieG
Date: 29 Jan 12 - 05:16 AM

With lots of harmonies all going at once.....

Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Time is a Tempest
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 29 Jan 12 - 05:32 AM

There have been previous threads on this, from which I got the lyrics several years ago: thank you JennyO! (But also thanks to Jim D for those who didn't find the earlier thread!)
See: thread.cfm?threadid=32306#841443

Delighted to see that Cloudstreet are doing another UK tour this year too!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Time is a Tempest
From: GUEST,Paul Burke
Date: 29 Jan 12 - 06:06 AM

Well I just checked and you're fast. Time is a fivepest.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Time is a Tempest
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 29 Jan 12 - 06:52 AM

groan

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Time is a Tempest
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 29 Jan 12 - 07:43 PM

Two comments on this song:

1. Note that it has two distinct choruses; the "Time is a tempest" chorus, and the "So lift up your voices" chorus.

2. One of the most moving of many moving moments I've had at the (Australian) National Folk Festival came some years ago when Martin and John sang this at the Union concert in the Budawang. Large venue, packed, everyone standing and singing along. Perfect song for the occasion, and sung terrifically.

Make that three comments:

3. Nice recording by Alan Scott on the CD he did with Keith McKenry, Travelling Through the Storm.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Time is a Tempest
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 30 Jan 12 - 06:32 AM

Martin and John - Pearson & Thompson

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Time is a Tempest
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 25 Jun 20 - 09:57 AM

More or less as sung by John Broomhall:

Time is a tempest and we are all travellers.
We are all travellers; we are all travellers.
Time is a tempest and we are all travellers,
Travelling on through the storm.

(Chorus) So lift up your voices and sing of the wind and rain.
Sing of the wind and rain; sing of the wind and rain.
Lift up your voices and sing of the wind and rain,
Travelling on through the storm.

They've poisoned the oceans, and dammed the great rivers.
Bulldozed each jungle, they're takers, not givers.
They say that it's progress; well, it gives me the shivers.
We're in for a winter that's cold.

Our cities are crowded; the forests have fallien
War clouds above, angry voices keep calling.
Five minutes to midnight is no time for stalling.
Just time to share your love.

(Chorus)

So we'll keep our arms wide through all kinds of weather,
Where there's sorrow and suff'ring may we be there together,
And we'll turn this around though it takes us forever,
What else in the world can we do?

There are places of beauty with pathways to guide us,
Sunrise and sunsets are never denied us,
Deep in our hearts, no walls divide us
We may yet find our way through the stars.

(Chorus)

Taken from https://rainbowfusionenterprises.com/time-is-a-tempest/ where there are also links to two performances by Broomhall.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Time is a Tempest
From: GUEST,jim bainbridge
Date: 25 Jun 20 - 03:35 PM

I reviewed a CD for 'Living Tradition' of Scotland- called 'Bugger the music- Give us a poem' about 20? years ago. The performers were Alan Scott & Keith Mchenry (?)- Alan Scott sang/recited this, I'm pretty sure....

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Time is a Tempest
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 25 Jun 20 - 07:30 PM

Yes, jim, I mentioned the Alan Scott recording upthread at 29 Jan 12 - 07:43 PM.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Time is a Tempest
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 25 Jun 20 - 09:59 PM

this review?

Keith McKenry (poet, reciter, biographer, folklorist) & Alan Scott (collector, singer, whistle & concertina player, folklorist) were friends.

More than a life: John Meredith and the fight for Australian Tradition by Keith McKenry ... Meredith is respected by a select group of folk and traditional music practitioners and scholars throughout the world as the first person to record mechanically the voices of men and women who were bearers of Australian oral tradition ...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Time is a Tempest
From: GUEST,jim bainbridge
Date: 26 Jun 20 - 05:37 AM

OK, missed that, Gerry. I thought there was some good stuff on that CD, especially the poem about singers struggling against a vast army of musicians- the Tempest song was a bit worthy for me...