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| J.M.W. Turner's painting of Orford Ness (1827) |
"Listen carefully. Hear that sound? It's applause." - Alphie Soup in Australia
Thank you to everybody who has bothered to click on my YouTube version of "Orford Ness". It is most heartening to think that so many people have now listened to it. Seen altogether the comments have been approving and indeed encouraging. Perhaps in the future you will be subjected to more songs by Stephen Sondheim yours truly.
In real life, Orford Ness is invariably associated with military matters - most notably the testing of secret weapons including nuclear warheads. That is why the landscape of the ness is still littered with military debris and the crumbling ruins of buildings including bunkers and laboratories. In my song, I deliberately ignored all of that and sought instead to evoke a simpler world that pre-dates the military invasion.
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| Beach stone painted by Glynn Thomas |
I considered an end verse in which the narrator's "Nancy" had now been buried in St Bartholomew's churchyard at Orford or perhaps the fishing boat that the men travelled in might itself have been called "Nancy" now broken and rotting on the shore. But that verse never materialised. You have to draw the line somewhere and keeping things simple is arguably best.
Tragically, Orford Ness's lighthouse which appeared in the background photos is destined to tumble into the sea with each passing winter. The forces of coastal erosion and deposition mean that the lighthouse - built in 1792 - now stands on the very edge of the salty brine. This reality adds an extra touch of melancholy to the Orford Ness story.
It was something of a personal revelation when I realised I could record the song without musical accompaniment. No guitar. Nothing. Just the song on its own as songs have mostly been sung around campfires, in showers or on storm-tossed herring boats in the North Sea.
Thank you for listening. May her light always shine on our history.
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With your song, I got a nostalgic, misty voyage, with a splash of salt-sea air, the smell of tar and galley fire, new hemp cordage and the gentle but wistful knowledge that nothing lasts, everything changes.
ReplyDeleteWow! That's what I hoped for and more. Thank you Kate.
DeleteI haven't had a chance to listen to your song yet but I plan to this morning! We've been glued to hurricane coverage and expecting to lose power for days now. I'll let you know what I think! :)
ReplyDeleteYou have the best possible excuse Jennifer!
DeleteFor what it's worth, I think a final verse wouldn't be a bad thing. Something bringing the story to a conclusion, as you described.
ReplyDeleteThat is sad about the lighthouse -- and it's not uncommon in this world of rising seas. I've heard of many old lighthouses jeopardized in the same way.
You could be right Steve. Thank you for your honest reflection. I'll let the song rest for a while and then maybe create a final verse which nails the song down for good.
DeleteI loved your recording. You have a wonderful voice for folk songs which are really just words in melodious tone that tell a story. That was my voice, too. I should have sent you my old Gibson to play on and get a contract with a music company and become richer than Ian!
ReplyDeleteSomehow in today's world I couldn't see "Orford Ness" making more than twenty bucks and a couple of brass buttons but it would be a dream to have a recording artist spot it and give it their own treatment.
DeleteI like it--the song and the singing of it. You have such a way with words that it's no surprise that you write and sing folk music. I continue to be impressed with your many and varied talents.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind support Jennifer.
DeleteFinally, I have made time in my seriously busy weekend (tax stuff, four loads of washing & ironing, cleaning, walking, running, eating, drinking and loving) and listened to your beautiful song.
ReplyDeleteYou sing well, Neil - not something I say lightly, as I have had a little bit of (choir) singing education myself when I was much, much younger.
To be able to sing without any musical support AND keep tune & tact is not as easy as most people think, and you manage both very well. Also, I like the "folksiness" of the song; it stands well on its own and I know it is brand new, but it could just as well be one of those ever-popular songs sung in a cosy pub, with someone grabbing a guitar, and everyone joining in with the chorus.
I appreciate your honest response Meike.
DeleteI loved the sound and more importantly the feel of your song. It has the feel of a song long passed down from one to another giving it depth and historical importance. It is sad the lighthouse can not be preserved.
ReplyDeleteThank you Bonnie. King Canute could not keep the waves back and nor can the owner of Orford Ness. It would take millions of pounds to dismantle the lighthouse and rebuild it further inland.
DeleteThat's good words and tune you've made there. Like the old boys would have sung in the Ship pub at Blaxhall - once famouse for its singing and step dancing.
ReplyDeleteI lived for 23 years not far from Orford but never got across to the ness.
Used to see the light from the lighthouse the first years we were there
It's so nice that you can relate to the lighthouse in this way Sue. Thanks for calling by.
DeleteMy! My! Mr. Pud! You do surprise me! Throwing a little sulk because people didn't comment on your post! Tsk! Tsk!
ReplyDeleteI've been missing in action for most of the weekend, involved in other things, so I've been very remiss in visiting blogs, including your own.
Are we to expect seeing you on the next season of "Britain's Got Talent"? The world could very well be your oyster, Yorkie.
I do note there have been times you've not commented on posts in my blog. From now on when that occurs I will have to have a hissy fit!
I think the next performance you should do is, in your best Vincent Price voice, perform a recitation on the banks of Lock Ness.
Is there a big handle on my back? You seem to be attempting to wind me up. I put a lot of myself into that song.
DeleteNope....I was explaining my situation. If you note...take a couple of steps back, you will note I did comment on your post.
DeleteI think you did very well with your song...the writing, singing and recording thereof...thanks for sharing it with us. :)
Now stop acting like a diva! Mariah Carey has that well covered! :)
I think you captured the feeling of wistfulness in your song and your singing for times past beautifully... though harsh and hard to make a living the value of living by ones own abilities as a fisherman in the elements was captured.
ReplyDeleteI think even in our childhood of 60 years past things were not as easy or convenient as today and life was simpler and we appreciated what we had and the people in our lives all the more - so much today is taken for granted and people expect life to be easy and streamlined.
Out of interest in Orfordness lighthouse and its perilous situation I thought you might be interested in a site called Lighthouses of Australia Inc which covers all the lighthouses of our island home. Also features some restored lighthouses overseas and one which is currently being hammered is Cape St George (Florida) in the Gulf of Mexico which has an interesting history, affected by many hurricanes and other calamities and collapsed in 2005 to be salvaged and rebuilt..perhaps there is some hope for Orfordness Lighthouse since it has been taken over by a trust.
In a way, I hope you are right about the possibility of saving the lighthouse at Orford Ness but the sea comes very close now and for safety reasons it was closed to visitors in 2016. Nothing lasts forever.
DeleteThank you for your thoughtful reflections on my song Elle.
I think you should try to contact the mayor of Orford or someone prominent thereabouts and make them aware of your song, perhaps via an email link to your post. I should think the townspeople would love the song and appreciate very much the time, talent, and effort someone (you) took to create it. You might even become a local celebrity.
ReplyDeleteIs there a website or a Facebook page for Orford? Do a little digging. Fame does not come to those who sit idly by and wait for accolades.
Pay attention to your elders.
Good thought. Older man.
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