A health to the seeds (with Rebsie) by Komrade K
Genre: Folk (contemporary)
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Description:
One day a month or so ago I came up with the tune and wasn't sure what to do with it. As it had a very traditional English feel to it I sent it to Rebsie thinking she might have the lyrics to an old folk ballad knocking around which might be in search of a musical home. Instead (within a few hours) she came up with these beautiful lyrics.
The arrangement is deliberately stark (just Rebsie's golden vocals and my fiddle). Neither of us felt that it needed anything more.
Anyways, it's about bloody time we did a collab as we've been discussing doing one for at least a year.
© 2006 Martyn Kember-Smith/Rebsie Fairholm
The arrangement is deliberately stark (just Rebsie's golden vocals and my fiddle). Neither of us felt that it needed anything more.
Anyways, it's about bloody time we did a collab as we've been discussing doing one for at least a year.
© 2006 Martyn Kember-Smith/Rebsie Fairholm
Lyrics:
Well the pear blossom's overIt melts in the ground
And the boughs full of fruit, love
Are burdening down
There's no more remaining
Of the blessing of May
Or the breath of the land
On a long summer's day
I touch you with water
I seal you with fire
And the wind blows the ashes
And trembles the wire
I bury you swiftly
At the water's side
Place you under a stone, love
By the winnowing tide
Here's a health to the seeds
And wherever they're blown
For the path that we came by
Is all overgrown
The wind from the sea
Brings the leaves round your door
I'll always be there, love
A ghost on your shore
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Ed Hannifin
Sounds like it belongs in a weathered songbook next to 'John Barleycorn', or recovered, by luck, in an old field recording...
Scholars can now argue about the meaning of the lyrics and the collision of pagan and Christian influences...
Lovely, lonely tone on the fiddle. Recalls Garnet Rogers' version of 'Carrickfergus'...
Ed
Komrade K
...and that bothered me for a bit but then I thought "I just come up with this sort of stuff from time to time so deal with it..." There's another tune I'd written some time ago (which I hope Rebsie will also sing on) which bothered me even more at the time I wrote it. So much so that I asked lots of singers if they knew it and trawled through my album collection to see where it came from but in the end had to conclude that it was in fact mine.
The lyrics mean something to me (not sure tho' that that's the same thing as they mean to Rebsicle...)
Still haven't found that Garnet Rogers track you mentioned - just checked UK iTunes and it ain't there... I'll keep hunting.
Thanks for listening
KK
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Latest track: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/26883">A health to the seeds (with Rebsie)</a>
The Fritters
I'll just have to mark this as a favorite, to remind me to download this as soon as downloads come back online, since this is 2 of my favorites doing something truly special that I just must have! Love it... it has a traditional basis while being fresh and original. Super!
jiguma
The opening lines of Rebsie's vocal inexplicably brought tears to my eyes - the lonely sound of the fiddle combined with Rebsie's fragile interpretation of her beautiful lyrics makes this really special. Excellent song and beautifully produced. Even though it's not a Christmas song, it's going onto my Chrissie CD.
Neil
Rebsie
Thank you Neil. Actually you've no idea how delighted I am that you say it brought inexplicable tears. That's one of the best compliments I could have. It's something KK and I were discussing a couple of weeks ago, how to make music that gives the listener a real tangible emotional kick in an age when we've all become somewhat desensitised to the subtleties of music. It's something we both feel is very important so it's wonderful to know that our song had that effect on you.
stevel
Your two talents work very well together...I am glad you have finally got round to a full blown collaboration, hope this proves to be the first of many. Its great to hear some authentic English/British folk music here on MJ.
Steve
blaky smith
The very beautiful Rebsie's voice with the lonely sound of your fiddle, it's a beautiful song, so pleasant to listen to...
Thanks
Marc
This is beautiful in its simplicity of insturmental and vocal composition. DON'T touch it!
Simply, Lovely
. - Harold
:-(
ktb
clean and heartfelt performances. 1 1 = 1, 039, 498
Komrade K
Not sure what the numbers signify tho'...
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Latest track: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/26883">A health to the seeds (with Rebsie)</a>
Feter
......................... speechless ..
the fiddle take my heart ... the singin..
just set the silence on ....!
thank you for sharing such gem here ..!!
This takes you on a far nostalgic journey, lovely lyrics and the old english feel of comfort and reflection.
Cameron
There's something infinitely haunting and sad about a solo violin playing in minor key. Rebs' contemplative lyrics and light, shimmery vocals add much to this mood.
You know, this could be considered a Winter Solstice tune -- not only in its wistful atmosphere, but the lyrics hint at plants going into hybernation, yet the seeds swirl around freely and find new homes and germination in the Spring.
This arrangement reminds me how wonderful simple music can be, uncluttered by dense orchestrations and synthesized instruments. Thank you both for getting together to create this lovely song!
Komrade K
...which have a lot of parts but I'm fascinated by what energies can come from small groupings or even solo instruments. A couple of days ago I was wondering whether paring back the instrumentation and vocals to an absolute minimum was a more effective way to be emotionally direct - I haven't reached a conclusion but in terms of classical/academic music I've always found chamber ensembles more compelling than orchestras.
Interesting that you've picked up on the Winter Solstice element to the lyrics, I've hadn't thought about that until I read your comment - I saw it as being more Autumnal but I think that you're absolutely right it spans the two - in fact you could say that it goes through the cycle of the seasons.
KK
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Latest track: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/26883">A health to the seeds (with Rebsie)</a>
apb
nothing does melancholy like a solo violin- great vocals
and just enough accompaniment for a very ye olde folky
authentic sound. Kudos to you both.
I also think this is good as is but perhaps the modest
addition of some natural background noise like
'wind' .. and once you stop giggling you'll see what I mean ...whistling, haunting and perhaps rustling the
occassional leaf - the lyrics paint a story board
almost, even a fire crackling or some water in other
places perhaps.
Rebsie
Mmmm ... I know what you mean, but I think that would make it too static and finite ... the point really was to leave space for the listener's imagination to fill in the detail.
caroline
s'all - big loves xoxox
j2morrow
Beautiful tune that brings a nostalgic yearning for the past. Wonderfully played. And Rebsie's lyrics are a perfect fit.
jonx
i think it's great how you kept it really simple and traditional-i doesn't need anything more-you've written a classic, beautiful song!
Komrade K
That means a lot coming from such a respected songwriter.
KK
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Latest track: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/26883">A health to the seeds (with Rebsie)</a>