BS: Silent Voices

Subject: Lyr Add: SILENT VOICES^^
From: Amergin
Date: 24 Feb 01 - 05:04 PM

This recent talk of departing loved ones has got me to thinking about the ones that I have lost....My great aunts and uncles and friends....It got me to thinking about all the stories that were never recorded. About all of the important facts of our histories that are lost forever. It got me to thinking of the voices I will never hear again...the laughter...the joking...I mentioned in another thread that this had the makings of a song or something....

Silent Voices
(Star of the County Down)
In the woods one night, round a fire bright
Were my loved ones, dead and gone,
I stood and stared in the frosty air,
And the moon was pale and drawn;
Oh, they looked at me and smiled at me
And they beckoned me to a chair,
But I stood amazed, in the glowing blaze
And I thought, "Was I really there?"

CHORUS:
Oh, their voices rang and the coyotes sang,
And the laughter began to roar.
Round the crackling might of the fire bright
Were the voices I shall hear no more.

"Sit down" they said and I shook my head
To clear the visions of my dream,
But the forms they stayed so I obeyed,
And their eyes began to gleam
They began to sing and the woods to ring,
Twas a song that I heard before,
Oh, in the fiery heat they sounded sweet
The voices I shall hear no more

Chorus:

The coyotes wailed as they told their tales
Of the life upon the range;
I looked around as the flames died down
And the skies began to change.
The mists arose and I watched them go
And my heart grew pale with woe,
With a tearful cry I bade goodbye
To the voices I'll hear no more.

Chorus:

Now among the trees in the wintry breeze
On the paths I walk alone
With great delight I found where the fire bright
Burned red among the stones.
Amidst the storm the coals were warm
From the craic of the night before,
I smiled my friend for in the wind
Whispered the voices I'll hear no more.

Hold on to your memories, for they are the greatest gifts bestowed upon us by those who have gone before....and if you have the chance record the stories of your elders or your own....Blessed be.

Nathan Tompkins ^^

Subject: RE: BS: Silent Voices
From: wysiwyg
Date: 24 Feb 01 - 05:16 PM

Holy F*%^()*(&*^&ng Sh*()&^^%t!

THAT IS DAMN GOOD!!!!

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Silent Voices
From: Pseudolus
Date: 24 Feb 01 - 05:16 PM

Beautiful Amergin.........

Frank

Subject: RE: BS: Silent Voices
From: Sorcha
Date: 24 Feb 01 - 05:17 PM

Oh, Nathan, that is beatiful!! Thank you so much for posting it.

Subject: RE: BS: Silent Voices
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 Feb 01 - 05:24 PM

WOW! Nathandarlin'...you've outdone yourself with that one! Just beautiful and it just rolls off so easily...well done! Thanks, I will be sharing it with me da...

luvyakat

Subject: RE: BS: Silent Voices
From: tiggerdooley
Date: 24 Feb 01 - 05:27 PM

You have convinced me to do something I've been wanting to do for a long time, but felt stupid. I'm going to record my Nana and my Great Aunty Nelly singing a song called 'Hartley's Jam'. They're born performers (maybe that's where I get it) and they harmonize so well. I don't want to be too morbid, but they ARE getting old, and I've already missed so much from my Great Grandma, so I won't make the same mistake this time.

Spookily, I spent last night on the discussion forum getting the words to a Lullaby that my Great Grandma used to sing to me called 'Go to sleep my baby', and I'm over the moon 'cos I got it.

Thank, Amergin

Subject: RE: BS: Silent Voices
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 24 Feb 01 - 07:30 PM

Wow. Thanks Nathan.

Subject: RE: BS: Silent Voices
From: Cobble
Date: 24 Feb 01 - 07:44 PM

SUPERB, Im just lost for words.

Cobble.

Subject: RE: BS: Silent Voices
From: Amos
Date: 24 Feb 01 - 07:52 PM

First rate, Amergin! First rate!

A.

Subject: RE: BS: Silent Voices
From: Greyeyes
Date: 24 Feb 01 - 07:53 PM


"Long ago it must be, I have a photograph,
preserve your memories, there all that's left you."

Subject: RE: BS: Silent Voices
From: Mrrzy
Date: 24 Feb 01 - 07:58 PM

Indeed lovely. I'll beat Matt to the Star Trek parallel, where there was the civilization whose sun was killing their planet, who sent a probe out to ensure NOT that they would survive, but that they would be REMEMBERED. I remember thinking that truly, we live forever, through the memories kept by survivors. I still think so. But not in such beautiful images before, thanks, Nathan, I am in your debt. As if I hadn't already been...

Subject: RE: BS: Silent Voices
From: GUEST,Tipster
Date: 25 Feb 01 - 01:01 AM

Love it.....

Subject: RE: BS: Silent Voices
From: Hawker
Date: 25 Feb 01 - 03:49 AM

Amergin, that is a lovely sentiment, and one we should all follow. I have recorded several voices who are now memories and I will continue to do so.

Oh isn't it comforting to hold on to an aged memory! Smiles Lucy

Subject: RE: BS: Silent Voices
From: alison
Date: 25 Feb 01 - 08:21 AM

beautiful song Nathan..........

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: BS: Silent Voices
From: kendall
Date: 25 Feb 01 - 09:11 AM

You can be damn proud of this man. It is precious.

Subject: RE: BS: Silent Voices
From: Morticia
Date: 25 Feb 01 - 09:18 AM

Nathan, I've just subtracted one of the thumps upside the head I owe you...that was a beatiful poem.

Subject: RE: BS: Silent Voices
From: Noreen
Date: 25 Feb 01 - 10:59 AM

Shivers down the spine, Nathan...

Subject: RE: BS: Silent Voices
From: Amergin
Date: 25 Feb 01 - 01:18 PM

Oh boy...well, thank you everyone....

Katdarling, I hope he likes it when you chare it with him.

Tigger, I'm glad to hear that you got those words and that you'll be recording your Nana and Your Great Aunt Nelly....I only wish I could have done the same....My great aunts and uncles had fantastic stories to tell...

Mrrzy, you never were in my debt....at least I never saw it that way...it is what friends do.

Lucy, I am glad you have those voices recorded...cherish them.

Kendall, that means alot to me.

Morty, I was not aware that I was owed any thumps upside the head.

Everyone else, thank you so much. :-) I'm glad you liked it...

Subject: RE: BS: Silent Voices
From: winniemih
Date: 25 Feb 01 - 02:39 PM

Amergin, there's a quote from the book Ceremony (Leslie Marmon Silko) that I'm trying to recall : the context is the book's protagonist coming to terms with the loss of his loved ones. He is told, "Remember everything. As long as we remember, nothing is lost. As long as we remember, we are part of this story we have together." Your words made me think of this. Winnie

Subject: RE: BS: Silent Voices
From: Gypsy
Date: 25 Feb 01 - 08:03 PM

Wow....that is beyond good. Thanks for writing it!

Subject: RE: BS: Silent Voices
From: wdyat12
Date: 17 Mar 01 - 01:15 AM

Nathan,

Blilliant! Universal! Hits home for me!

wdyat12

Subject: RE: BS: Silent Voices
From: wdyat12
Date: 17 Mar 01 - 01:27 AM

My typos increase the more excited I get. Nathan that was.... Brilliant! I know the dues a creative person like you pays the Muses. It's not all fun, but when you get it all done and you know you have said what you feel, that is your reward. We can only feel happy for you sharing your gift.

wdyat12

Subject: RE: BS: Silent Voices
From: DancingMom
Date: 17 Mar 01 - 10:12 AM

Brought back some memories, and a tear to my eye. Our loved ones never really leave us as long as we hold them close in our hearts. Thank you.

Subject: RE: BS: Silent Voices
From: jaze
Date: 17 Mar 01 - 10:12 PM

That was beautiful, Amergin, just beautiful. I think it succinctly stated what many of us feel.

Subject: RE: BS: Silent Voices
From: gnu
Date: 17 Mar 01 - 11:16 PM

Gosh... that brought tears to my eyes. Lost an aunt early yesterday morning and your words brought even more memories back - good ones. Thanks

gnu

Subject: RE: BS: Silent Voices
From: Amergin
Date: 31 Mar 01 - 12:01 AM

Well, thanks to you all....Tonight there is yet another voice added to the silence.....my cousin, Steve, died of a heart attack this evening......He was my second cousin.....and my mother doesn't even know yet....not looking forward to telling her....Blessed be.

Subject: RE: BS: Silent Voices
From: wdyat12
Date: 31 Mar 01 - 12:10 AM

The relevance of you poetry has touched all of us. Sorry to hear about Steve.

wdyat12

Subject: RE: BS: Silent Voices
From: rangeroger
Date: 09 Jun 01 - 12:10 AM

On Sunday of this last Memorial Day Weekend, we held a tribute for my friend Bruce "Moose" Grunow at the Strawberry Music Festival in Yosemite. Nathan, I read your words at that tribute , and I want to thank you so much for them.I used to play Star of County Down, but I didn't even try to sing these words. I would have been totally unable. I read them out as poem and knew that Moose's voice would always be with me. After the memorial two people came to me an asked for copies of your words.One was a man who had lost his son,a fellow musician, last year.Another was our head of backstage musicians hospitality who had lost her brother a year and a half ago. Both were highly moved by those words. I asked for prayers for John Hartford at that tribute and some had not even known he was ill. Now that he to has passed these words hold their meaning for him. Thank you again for "Silent Voices". One of these days I may be able to raise my voice in song to sing them. rr

Subject: RE: BS: Silent Voices
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 09 Jun 01 - 11:04 AM

Nice song,Sorry to hear about your cousin.

Subject: RE: BS: Silent Voices
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 09 Jun 01 - 06:53 PM

Amergin, for some reason this thread reminded me of a missing verse to "The Travelling People"
The last two lines are
And I've laid there spent, wrapped up in my tent; and I've listened to the old folks talkin. cant remember the whole verse though (damn)now i'll have to hope one of you can remembe it. (I heard the Dubliners sing it 30 years ago) The dead live on in our hearts and memories. In the case of relatives they live on through us. Yours, Aye. Dave

Subject: RE: BS: Silent Voices
From: Amergin
Date: 09 Jun 01 - 08:35 PM

RR, thank you for telling me that...it has made my whole week...i hope you gave the words to your friends....I am so sorry for your loss...take care.

John, Thank you, one more empty chair for the family reunion this summer...

Dave, thanks for your words...and are these the lyrics you were thinking of?

I've mended pots and made heather beesoms
I've served my time at tramping and at hawking
And I've lain there spent happed up in my tent
And I've listened to the old folks talking.

Subject: RE: BS: Silent Voices
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 09 Jun 01 - 09:07 PM

YES YES YES Thank you mate.... been trying to remeber that one for years. Cheers. Dave

Subject: RE: BS: Silent Voices
From: lady penelope
Date: 10 Jun 01 - 06:22 AM

Thank you.

M'Lady P.

Subject: RE: BS: Silent Voices
From: rangeroger
Date: 30 Jun 01 - 12:33 AM

This needed to be refreshed as I feel this is Nathan's heart.

rr

Subject: RE: BS: Silent Voices
From: catspaw49
Date: 30 Jun 01 - 07:57 AM

I have no idea how I missed this thread in all of it's previous incarnations, but thanks for the refresh.......

Nathan, I am sitting here blubbering like a fool and have been for the past half hour. I can't read more than a few lines without becoming overwhelmed. Finally I am able to slowly type this in and tell you that I believe that to be one of the most poignant and truest songs ever written. If anyone can sing it through we need to start doing so because nothing I have heard in the singer/songwriter branch of the folk world deserves more to become a "folk song."

I don't know what special voice inspired you and although many of your pieces are wonderful, this song stands out......not just above your others, but anything else I've heard by anyone, anywhere...........

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Silent Voices
From: chip a
Date: 30 Jun 01 - 10:56 AM

Well dammit Spaw, the song is everything you said it is. But I got through reading it just fine. It was your soupy palavering that made me blubber. Stop that! And that stuff about your loving wife in the other thread......twice in one morning you got me. Keep it up and you'll have to put warning labels on your posts. Thank you.

Chip A.

Subject: RE: BS: Silent Voices
From: chip a
Date: 30 Jun 01 - 11:00 AM

I can't sing a lick, but my wife (Tish) can. Just printed your beautiful song so I can take it home to her. I know she'll love it as I do. You've done good.

Chip A.

Subject: RE: BS: Silent Voices
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 30 Jun 01 - 12:11 PM

Good to see ya posting on here Spaw... Welcome home mate... {{{hug}}} Yours, Aye. Dave

Subject: RE: BS: Silent Voices
From: Amergin
Date: 02 Jul 01 - 06:59 PM

OH, Jesus, Spaw, RR, and Chip...and of course my mate, Dave....you make me blush with pride...thank you...

Subject: RE: BS: Silent Voices
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Sep 01 - 02:49 AM

I was just thinking this would be appropriate now.

Subject: RE: BS: Silent Voices
From: Paul from Hull
Date: 16 Sep 01 - 01:55 PM

Well done, Guest.....hadnt seen this thread before

Thanks for finding it, & posting

Subject: RE: BS: Silent Voices
From: Amergin
Date: 06 Oct 01 - 12:25 PM

Another voice hasgone silent....my cousin Sue Jobman died of a heart attack yesterday...just found out...another empty chair...

Subject: RE: BS: Silent Voices
From: GUEST,amergin
Date: 26 Feb 03 - 04:07 PM

Subject: RE: BS: Silent Voices
From: Neighmond
Date: 27 Feb 03 - 12:07 AM

BRAVO!!

Chaz

Subject: RE: BS: Silent Voices
From: GUEST,wdyat24
Date: 27 Feb 03 - 09:59 PM

Been there twice. Once in life and again with you.

wdyat24

Subject: RE: BS: Silent Voices
From: Genie
Date: 28 Feb 03 - 08:30 PM

Absolutely awesome, Nathan!

Genie