At my weekly choir sessions we have been learning a lovely song called "Come Hear The Call". It is a lilting warning song about the environment and the dangers of global warming. You won't find it on YouTube or indeed anywhere else on the internet. I know because I have already searched.
Come hear the call, the groaning of the ocean.
Come hear the call, the crying of the wind.
Earth's very heart is breaking and my own soul it is aching
At the waste that we are making of our planetary home.
Anyway, before last evening's session the choir had been promised that we would have a special visitor - the composer of "Come Hear The Call" - a local fellow called Jerry Simon.
He came in halfway through the meeting - a dumpy middle-aged bloke in outdoorsy apparel. He sat near the front ready to listen to our rendition of his song. He appeared somewhat sad and uncomfortable with a faraway look in his eyes.
His presence lifted our performance and afterwards in his quiet, matter-of-fact style he told us how the song had been born.
He was camping at Whitby on the North Yorkshire coast for he was attending the Whitby Folk Festival that is held in the late summer every year. He woke early and unzipped his tent door looking out on a calm North Sea but with "Come Hear The Call" already in his head.
He said he had never had an experience like it before or since and as he explained the song's birth he pressed his fists against his temples. It had been something he just had to get out though he didn't know where the song had come from.
That morning he took his fiddle and a notebook down to the beach and sat there working on the song, trying to capture it before it went away. Then later in the day a fellow folk musician gave him some helpful support to truly nail the song. There had been something magical and mystical about the whole process.
I wish I could bring you a video clip of Jerry Simon or my choir singing "Come Hear The Call" but the best I can do is to give you this video of him singing another one of his songs - "I Am Glad of All The Good Things In My Life":-
That looks like a sex face to me
ReplyDeleteI have no idea what was going on below. Honest.
DeleteHe sings from his heart. It is obvious he believes in his lyrics...singing from his soul...and his heart.
ReplyDeleteThere is no notion of commercialism. As you say, he simply believes in his songs.
DeleteOh my goodness, that video is so beautiful, it literally bought tears to my eyes, particularly at this time. Tom is home after 10 days with a nice 10" scar for his trouble, now to get him back to his old self.
ReplyDeleteWould love to hear your choir singing.
Briony
x
I can see how Jerry Simon's song would have special meaning for you during what has been a stressful and anxious time.
DeleteWhat a great experience, to have him there as you all performed his song! I'm at work so I can't watch the video but will when I get home.
ReplyDeleteIt was very special and he was such a humble, unassuming man.
DeleteA truly inspirational post, from headline to video. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI am happy to learn that this post connected with you Miss Pussycat!
DeleteIt made me cry. Beautiful lyrics and wonderfully sung. Thank you Neil.
ReplyDeleteGreetings Maria x
And the message is an important one too - to value simple things and those wonderful things we may often take for granted.
DeleteP.S. I didn't mean to make you cry today!
Will anyone be able to film your choir when you perform? I would be interested in hearing the earth song. Interesting how he was hit by inspiration and still seems to carry that feeling with him.
ReplyDeleteI am a very bashful fellow. If a video was produced I would be blushing like a Yorkshire beetroot!
DeleteAudio would be sufficient in that case :)
DeleteWell unless Jerry has an objection why don't you arrange for your choir to make a video for YouTube?
ReplyDeleteBecause I am a junior member of the choir so if not singing I keep my gob shut.
DeleteThere is nothing to lose by putting it on youtube, it would get some coverage for the choir and the composer. Is there a rule that junior choir members are to be seen and not heard?
DeleteThere isn't a rule as such but as you should know by now Kylie I am as bashful as a shrinking violet. Why - I wouldn't even say "Boo!" to a goose!
DeleteIt's good that some musicians talk to us and share their experiences in making music.
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely to know how a song was born.
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