Lyr ADD: Waiting for the Lark (Bill Caddick)

Subject: 'The Lark'? By Bill Caddick?
From:
Date: 12 Jan 02 - 12:43 PM

A year or two ago I heard a beautiful song sung by June Tabor on the radio. I think it's by Bill Caddick, and I'd guess its title is "The Lark" or similar. One verse began: "Sleep on, child, while the fields are still; they wait for your father's hand". I remmeber most of the verses, but the first eludes me, except for the words, "...to bring down the morning to where you lie". I haven't been able to track down a recording, or find any reference to the song anywhere. Can anyone help, please? Many thanks in advance. Louise Sandall

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'The Lark'? By Bill Caddick?
From: Sorcha
Date: 12 Jan 02 - 12:53 PM

Seems the title is Waiting for the Lark, but I didn't find any lyrics.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'The Lark'? By Bill Caddick?
From: masato sakurai
Date: 12 Jan 02 - 01:22 PM

June Tabor's "Waiting for the Lark" (sound clip) is HERE.
~Masato

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'The Lark'? By Bill Caddick?
From: Crane Driver
Date: 12 Jan 02 - 02:39 PM

The song is "Waiting for the Lark", written by Bill for a play he was involved in. June Tabor's version is on her album "Against the Stream". Beautiful song - the words must be up somewhere, but I've not found them so far.

Subject: Lyr Add: WAITING FOR THE LARK (Bill Caddick)
From: GUEST,MCP, Lyric Add
Date: 12 Jan 02 - 03:49 PM

Here are the words

Mick


WAITING FOR THE LARK
(Bill Caddick)

Sleep on child, it is not quite day
For the moon has still to set.
Oh the lark she will cry
And bring down the morning to where you lie.
But the lark has not risen yet.
Oh, the lark has not risen yet.

Sleep on child while the birds rest on
And the cow she sleeps in her stall.
Oh the meadow stands grey
In this dew-down moment before the day.
And waits for the lark to call.
And waits for the lark to call.

Sleep on child while the fields are still;
They wait for your father's hand.
But he will not go
And the sun will not shine and the cock will not crow.
Til the lark cries over the land
Til the lark cries over the land.

Sleep on child and heed no sound
For your father may rise in the dark.
With his boots in his hand
Go drowsily down by the doorway to stand.
Waiting for the lark
Waiting for the lark.


Source: LP Rough Music - Bill Caddick, 1976.

The notes say: "Waiting For The Lark" is the first song in the "Vale" series and is a "mood" song, a kind of morning lullaby. I doubt whether the events described actually happen, certainly not in Wolverhampton. (For Christy)...
(In addition to the above dedications, all the songs are of course for June).

Subject: Lyr Add: Waiting for the Lark/Caddick
From: Sorcha
Date: 12 Jan 02 - 05:32 PM

Putting an Add in Subject box for harvesters; also e mail sent. Thanks, Mick!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'The Lark'? By Bill Caddick?
From: breezy
Date: 13 Jan 02 - 07:56 AM

Hear MCP at the Silver cup Folk Club, Harpenden ,Herts.,Fri. 18th., Jan. 2002. And Bill Caddick on FRi 22nd. March

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'The Lark'? By Bill Caddick?
From:
Date: 13 Jan 02 - 12:14 PM

I've solved a frustratingly long-standing mystery - Grateful thanks to everyone who replied! What a brilliant site Mudcat is... Best to all, Louise (first-time user)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Waiting for the Lark (Bill Caddick)
From: Brock
Date: 17 Nov 22 - 01:52 PM

What a lovely song! Heard it for the first time on Radio 3 this morning. There is a harmony version by Phil Hardcastle on YouTube. (which I prefer to Bill himself with his bottle-neck bazouki or something !).
RIP Bill -died almost 4 years ago to the day.

Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: Waiting for the Lark (Bill Caddick)
From: RTim
Date: 17 Nov 22 - 03:45 PM

All the first lines shown in post above dated 12th Jan 02 are partly incorrect.

Ever verse starts with -
"Sleep bonny child....."

Tim Radford

Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: Waiting for the Lark (Bill Caddick)
From: GUEST,Howard Jones
Date: 17 Nov 22 - 07:41 PM

Ever verse starts with -
"Sleep bonny child....."

That's not what Bill appears to be singing here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smfweOnm8UY

Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: Waiting for the Lark (Bill Caddick)
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 23 Nov 22 - 04:58 PM

Radio3 used the 1976 album
Playing for another three weeks
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001dyd1

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