Lyr Add: Cold Days of February (Robin Williamson)

Subject: Lyr Add: COLD DAYS OF FEBRUARY (Robin Williamson)
From: Max Tone
Date: 07 Nov 00 - 07:06 PM

Here's a brilliant anti-war/bigotry song from The Incredible String Band, c.1973. I've subsequently seen Robin singing it solo, accompanying himself on harp, but I can't quite work out the chords. It's based on Em/Bm, I think!!
Help!

COLD DAYS OF FEBRUARY
(By Robin Williamson)
As recorded by Robin Williamson on "The Seed-at-Zero" (2000)

As I beside the winter's fire,
Sat writing words strange and steady.
Amongst my own internal choir
Came voices to my mind unready
Of those who died on either side,
In Belfast or the streets of Derry,
Go sighing through the northeast wind,
These cold days of February.

Some clerk with papers and his pen,
Some banker with his poison pity,
Some captain careless of his men,
These fan the flames that maim the city;
And bigots in the name of Christ
By thorny paths obscure and muddy,
May fear to roam through years of cold,
Bewailing how their hands are bloody.

Whether they were from here or there,
Their race or their place I would not be heeding.
The men who caused such bitterness,
If hearts they have, let their hearts be bleeding,
Who neither for age nor the young child
Would turn the shot of the arms they carried.
Go bear the guilt a weary way
For the cold days of February.

Rob

Subject: Chords Add: COLD FEBRUARY (Robin Williamson)
From: john c
Date: 08 Nov 00 - 01:39 AM

Ahhhh - an Incredible String Band question!!
Cold February is a great song. Just listen to Robins whistle playing on it on the Hard Rope and Silken Twine album. Spine-tingling stuff.
After a quick strum along, here are the chords I came up with. Dont think they are too far out.

GCDD
AmEmCC
GCDD
AmEmCG
BmCDEm
BmEmCAm
GCDD
AmEm(2nd verse G)CG

Hope this is of some use,
John

Subject: RE: LyrAdd/ChReq:COLD FEBRUARY, Robin Willia
From: The Shambles
Date: 08 Nov 00 - 05:26 AM

Not heard it but he has re recorded this one on his new CD.

Subject: RE: LyrAdd/ChReq:COLD FEBRUARY, Robin Willia
From: The Shambles
Date: 08 Nov 00 - 05:29 AM

Seed-At-Zero

Subject: RE: LyrAdd/ChReq:COLD FEBRUARY, Robin Willia
From: Max Tone
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 03:56 PM

Thanks John,
Will check them out on a harp - wish I still had a harmonium!
I learnt it off Hard Rope....... Must track down some more of their stuff, again. I've only got some of Robin's later Demos and cassette releases "The Glen Row Tapes"
Rob

Subject: RE: LyrAdd/ChReq:COLD FEBRUARY, Robin Willia
From: john c
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 06:16 PM

Cant recommend their music highly enough, Max. Especially the first five records.
All the best,
John

Subject: RE: LyrAdd/ChReq:COLD FEBRUARY, Robin Willia
From: The Shambles
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 06:53 PM

Incredible Strng Band lyrics More of Robin's words here. http://www.stud.ntnu.no/~bakkevol/isb/index.html

Subject: RE: LyrAdd/ChReq:COLD FEBRUARY, Robin Willia
From: Max Tone
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 07:35 PM

Thanks, folks
Whoops!,-- I should have said I've got some of Mike's tapes, made at Glen Row in the 80s. I was lucky enough to be given them by Mike, to learn his set, so I could mix his sound.----- Yes, Sir!
Rob

Subject: RE: LyrAdd/ChReq:COLD FEBRUARY, Robin Willia
From: GUEST,Laura
Date: 13 Aug 06 - 05:50 AM

Does anyone know what the origins of these lyrics are?
I wonder if it is from a traditional ballad?
Any info much appreciated, as I'd like to sing it at our folk club and it would be nice to have a story to go along with it?

Thanks!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Cold February (Robin Williamson)
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Dec 17 - 09:02 AM

It is an original song of Robin Williamson.The first time he released it was a live recording on The Incredible String Band album "Hard Rope & Silken Twine".

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Cold Days of February (Robin Williamson)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 05 Feb 24 - 03:08 PM

What February event is this song about?