Under the Christmas Moon – was written many years
ago, while brainstorming all the Christmas emotions, I came up with this
song… to bring together those who are
not with us, separated by distance or years…
the Christmas Moon will wrap it’s moonbeams round
Three Kings – Robbie O’Connell wrote this fine
upbeat version of the story. It was always a standard in our big Celtic Cowboy
Productions, bringing life and energy to us all.
Bi ‘Iosa ‘im Chroise – Irish hymn, of unknown
origin. Roughly translates to “Be Jesus, in my heart”. Such lovely notes of
antiquity…
Five Round Moons – This Appalachian feeling song,
came to while thinking about a child living in deciduous forests in the
east. “Why are the trees dead?” And a sweet momma, explaining the season with
a gentle reminder that winter rest is needed.
Then the great old tune “The Old Yeller Dog Went Runnin’ Through the
Meetin’ House”, just makes us smile, no matter how many times we play it!
Follow the Heron Home – Karine Polwart penned this
beauty. We altered the words a bit, to
make it winter appropriate… what lovely
images of Scotland.
Miss Fogarty’s Christmas Cake – I know there is
someone somewhere who loves fruitcake…
but after we lost one in the shed, and found it years later, I’m not
sure if I’d EVER eat one! Miss Fogarty’s
comes with visuals of agony… so sorry to
fruitcake lovers… (just try to sing along… you might need some rum)
Winter Prayer – This started as a poem. Which you can read below. Then the harp and tracking over the hammered dulcimer,
to add shimmer… gives hope to ‘pushing
up through aged snow’.
I’ll Be Comin’ Home – The fabulous song writer
Peter Mayer penned this beauty. It fits perfectly on the dulcimer, we play it
together on a courting dulcimer. Truly “Hallmark” kinds of images, of tables
set with sterling…
Too Tight Polka – The original song written by
Peter Ostroushko, was a generic ‘ate too much’ song. I borrowed his brilliance
to start with, then created the over-eating scenario of holidays! We have a saying, after holiday meals “I NEED MY PIE PANTS”! Meaning that compression has invaded the
digestive process… stretchy is needed
ASAP!
Winter Grace – Jean Ritchie captured the ‘feel’ of
winter on a rural farm. From the fallow field to the cow’s breath…
Cherry Tree Carol – Francis Child collected this
ballad, Number 54 in the late 1800’s.. Earliest record of it is the 16th
century, and of course as in all old ballads, there are dozens of
versions. We like the ‘human’ side of
Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus.
Between These Places – If we are lucky, the
farthest distance traveled is from
childhood to old age. Or perhaps the distance from my house to your house.
Or.. my heart to your heart… winter is time for ‘inner-looking’ and
shortening the distance between us all.
Mark the Time – the album title is in this poem “Echo
in a Winter’s Heart” - One spring, while working on a sweat lodge
with my Salish Father… I was grouchy
about the chill and gray of the long spring.
He patiently listened to my meaningless woes, and then spoke about the subtleties
of seasons. That just changing out a
wardrobe was not the deeper meaning. We chatted about each little thing that we
miss during the seasons of our life… and
then he said “if you experience the seasons with spirit eyes and spirit ears,
they patience and stillness to teach you”…
Old House Waltz – Ken wrote this in the 70’s while
living in an old farm house in Minnesota. He tells of the old house ‘groaning’
with the cold, and the stories hidden in corners…
Sun Watchers – The petroglyphs in New Mexico, and
Ireland, tell the story of the ancients marking time with the sun’s journey
across the horizon. Already released on
the harp CD, on this disc, it is for solstice…
the hope of longer days and surviving the dark winter. Birds greet the morning and our weary hearts…
