Guinevere's Lament | If I was a Blackbird | On The Moor | Ride the Rolling Sea | Skye Boat Song |

Waters Wide | The Rosemary Lane | If You Were My Love | To The Coming of Night |

-Select a Song from Above-

Guinevere's Lament/S. Parker

This song represents the longing and frustration that comes when we find that either by chance, or by choice, we have made a wrong decision. People we meet, places we go, experiences we have, broaden and even alter our ideals and desires. Unfortunately, even if we are fortunate enough to come to a realization or recognition of what we really want, choices, vows, or promises made earlier in our lives make us "prisoners of our own decrees". (Those were the "philosophical" notes regarding this song. The bottom line is that it is a song about Guinevere's love and LUST for Lancelot. She longs to be free to choose whom she loves, but finds herself a prisoner of her marriage vows. This scenario can be seen on a daily basis on almost any soap opera. It is an age old problem. Ahhh. . . so many men! So little time!)

In my dreams, I am free to love you ­

Free to choose ­ Nothing to lose.

I see your face, and I hear you laughter ­

Your lips are heady wine ­ your body covers mine . . .

Chorus:

But I know that it never can be.

My soul reaches for you, but I never will be free.

My vows a wall around me, like the land around the sea.

I'm a prisoner by my own decree.

Do you know? Can you sense my longing?

I've whispered your name ­ then cried out in shame.

In his bed, I have fought my sorrow ­

In his embrace, I see your face.

Chorus

Had I known. If I could see the future ­

The pain, the cost ­ the love that would be lost.

I would have flown far beyond this prison.

I would have made it through ­

I could have been with you . . .

Chorus

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If I was a Blackbird/Traditional

A traditional Irish ballad with many variations. The young lovers are not only kept apart by the young man's parents, but also by the barriers of sea and shore. The young lady left behind wishes to "take wing" and fly to her beloved ­nesting in the ship's rigging just to be near him. This is one of my favorite ballads. I particularly like Andy M. Stewart's version.

I am a young maiden, my story is sad,

For once I was courted by a brave sailin' lad.

He courted me strongly, by night and by day,

Oh, but now he has left me, and sailed far away.

Chorus:

And if I was a blackbird I'd whistle and sing,

And I'd follow the vessel my true love sails in.

And on the top riggin' I would there build my nest,

And I'd flutter my wings o'er his lily white breast.

Chorus

Well, he promised to take me to Donnybrook Fair

And to buy me red ribbons for to tie up my hair,

And when he'd come home from the ocean so wide,

He would take me, and make me, his own bonny bride.

Chorus

Now his parents they slight me, and will not agree

That me and my sailor boy married will be -

But when he comes home, I will greet him with joy

And I'll take to my heart my dear sailor boy.

Chorus

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On The Moor/J. Battema

This is an instrumental piece composed and performed by my good friend and keyboard wizard ­ J. Battema. The piece paints an auditory image of the loneliness and wild, dark mysteriousness of the moors. I always think of "Wuthering Heights" and the heartbreaking story of Catherine and Heathcliff when I hear this piece. (And that leads to thoughts about Timothy Dalton who played Heathcliff in the remake of the film that was done in the 70's and that leads to . . . .) Excuse me, I got side tracked. Battema, by the way, did all of the arrangements and played all the music for Waters Wide. He is extremely talented and I will always be grateful to him for the parts of himself that became part of the project!

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Ride the Rolling Sea/S. Parker

Photo: Barr Photographics

I jokingly refer to this as "Fatal Attraction on the High Seas". The song was "fueled" by my anger at a young man "formed by the Devil himself". (Or so I thought at the time.) I sought to cast a "spell" of sorts ­ willing memories of me and of us to haunt him wherever he might go. However, just as the spell of love binds two hearts together, so can the spell of anger and resentment. Unwilling to be an unwilling recipient of the "backlash", I left his memory at the last port.

Chorus:

Ride, ride the rolling sea, ride it far away ­

For it matters not where you are bound, for I am here to stay.

In your heart, and in your soul ­ you will find me there ­

And though you try to leave me, love, I will follow you everywhere ­

I will follow you everywhere.

Where could I go to escape your eyes?

There was no hiding place ­

For the Devil himself had formed you love ­

Tall and dark and fair of face.

I know now there can never be another man for me ­

And though it means my very death, I will follow you to sea ­

I will follow you to sea.

Chorus

Your words were sweet, your hands a fire that set my soul aflame.

An unearthly passion binds my heart, and so I'm not to blame.

But when this spell bound me to you, it bound you just as well ­

And though you sail the Devil's ship, I will follow you to Hell ­

I will follow you to Hell.

Chorus

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Skye Boat Song/Traditional

I learned this song in Elementary School during our weekly music class. I used to sing it quite often while "perched" in my favorite tree. It is a beautiful and melancholy melody. The words tell a tale of sadness and death. It is based on an actual battle that took place at Culloden Moor in 1745. After this battle, Bonnie Prince Charlie was forced to escape from the Scotch mainland to the island of Skye. This is without a doubt the first "Celtic" tune that I ever learned. I will always be grateful to my grade school music teacher ­ Miss Butt! (No kidding! And we all thought it was funny too!)

Chorus:

Speed, bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing,

Onward, the sailors cry!

Carry the lad that's born to be king,

Over the sea to Skye!

Loud the winds howl, loud the waves roar,

Thunder clouds rend the air;

Baffled our foes stand on the shore,

Follow they will not dare.

Chorus

Many's the lad fought on that day,

Well the claymore could wield.

When the night came, silently lay

Dead on Culloden's field.

Chorus

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Waters Wide/S. Parker

So many lovers have stood just so. Longing to stay together ­ unwilling to let go ­ afraid of the future. So many lovers will realize the unpredictability of life itself, yet swear to remember and to love each other still. No matter the circumstances.

(My husband ­ Randy ­ sings the part of my true love. He has been a miracle in my life, and is always a source of encouragement and inspiration!)

There are no words to say goodbye ­ waters wide, waters wide, Take the tears that I now cry to that strange and distant shore. There is no way that I can stay ­ waters wide, waters wide, The time has come, I must away from the one that I adore. Press now your lips to mine in love ­ waters wide, waters wide, Know that you'll always have my love, though you'll never see me more. Though the waters now shall part us ­ waters wide, waters wide, Our love will always live inside us, and will reach from shore to shore. Waters wide ­ waters wide, Mine is a sorrow waters wide. Waters wide ­ waters wide, I sail tomorrow with the tide. Waters wide ­ waters wide, I know I'll never be your bride. Waters wide ­ waters wide, I pledge my love will never die. Though the waters are wide between us, my love, through all the days ­ I will remember. I will never forget your love . . . I will never forget your love . . . Photo: Virginia Highlands Festival

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The Rosemary Lane/Traditional

Innocence and youth. A man and a maid. This young lady finds herself in love and in trouble ­ as so many young women have throughout history. This one may be lucky ­ he promises to take care of her, at least monetarily. A very passionate and sad tale. Ladies, beware of sailors . . .

When I was in the service in the Rosemary Lane,

I won the goodwill of my master and dame.

"Til a sailor came there one night for to lay . . .

That was the beginning of my misery.

He called for a candle to light him to bed.

Likewise a silk kerchief to tie up his head ­

To tie up his head as the sailors will do ­

And he said, "My pretty Polly, will you come to"?

This maid young and foolish, she thought it no harm

To light him to bed for to keep herself warm.

What happened that night, I may never disclose,

But I wish that short night had been seven long years.

Oh, on the next morning he so early arose,

And into my apron three guineas he throws ­

Saying "This will I give and much more will I do,

If you'll be my Polly wherever I go".

If it be a boy, he will fight for the king.

If it be a girl, she will wear a gold ring.

She will wear a gold ring and a dress all aflame,

To remind you of your time in the Rosemary Lane.

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If You Were My Love/K. Ryan/S. Parker

A beautiful song of love and longing with words written my dear friend ­ Kevin Ryan. Kevin is a poet extraordinaire who also has written his own tunes. After failing to find inspiration in a stack of poetry books I had checked out of the local library, I sat down at the keyboard with these lyrics and the melody just flowed . . .

I've watched for so long as you walk through the morning,

But your eyes never noticed me.

I've lain in the night from dark until dawning,

Holding you close in the world of my dreams.

If you were my love, I'd love you forever,

For all of the world to see.

My spirit would soar as high as a mountain, and sing out it's joy,

If you were my love.

I'd gather the stars, the moon and the sunset,

And I'd give them to you to keep.

And when you closed your eyes, tired and weary,

My love would surround you, protecting your sleep.

I'd tie up the world for you in blue ribbons,

And I've sworn to the stars above ­

But a word from your lips and I'd give it back fully,

And all this I'd do if you were my love ­

And all this I'd do if you were my love ­

And all this I'd do if you were my love . . .

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© 1999 Sandra Parker, All Rights Reserved, unless otherwise noted.

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