I’m terrible at picking titles. But I have been enjoying writing songs, when the inspiration takes me, so this is one I wrote for AroWriMo and the Valentines theme of ‘Love, Romance and Friendship’ at my local folk club. The middle part is entirely uninteresting to me, so this is more about love and friendship than anything else, and the various forms that can take.
This is pretty much the only at all joyous song I’ve written, most of the others being either grim and grisly, as many ballads are, or sad and frustrated comments on climate change and ecological destruction. I’m sure I’ll share those at some point.
The tune for this one is called ‘Midnight on The Water’ and has had many words put to it by this point, but I decided to throw my hat into the ring. The version I heard (and was inspired by) was the beautiful version by Waterson:Carthy.
Lyrics:
In the light of the day, the cool light of morning
There’s a chill in the air, and birds in the sky
And though the fog may roll in and wrap up my senses
I know I’ll be home when the evening arrives
The sight of a good friend, a sweet summer breeze
Contagious enthusement, words branching with ease
Love is in the small things, the embers that glow
What’s left of the campfire when our friends have to go
Love is in the ashes, that keep out the chill
And those who, when gone, remain with us still
I offer my hand to those who would take it
Come together in sadness, or wonder or joy
And though people don’t last, this life’s what you make it
And happiness shared, well it grows twice as high
The sight of a good friend, a sweet summer breeze
Contagious enthusement, words branching with ease
Love is in the small things, the embers that glow
What’s left of the campfire when our friends have to go
Love is in the ashes, that keep out the chill
And those who, when gone, remain with us still
In a building that’s warm, we all come together
We raise up our voices and fill it with song
And though the night has to end, we take it for ourselves
We light up this moment, for we know it’s not long
The sight of a good friend, a sweet summer breeze
Contagious enthusement, words branching with ease
Love is in the small things, the embers that glow
What’s left of the campfire when our friends have to go
Love is in the ashes, that keep out the chill
And those who, when gone, remain with us still
Your beauty it shines, through the cracks in your laughter
The tangle of words that spill into the air
And I hope that you find whatever you’re after
For to witness you happy, no joy can compare
The sight of a good friend, a sweet summer breeze
Contagious enthusement, words branching with ease
Love is in the small things, the embers that glow
What’s left of the campfire when our friends have to go
Love is in the ashes, that keep out the chill
And those who, when gone, remain with us still
Alone in my work, I’m alone but not lonely
What once were just thoughts, I bring them to life
I add to the world , it’s an act of creation
And love for the labor allows me to thrive
The sight of a good friend, a sweet summer breeze
Contagious enthusement, words branching with ease
Love is in the small things, the embers that glow
What’s left of the campfire when our friends have to go
Love is in the ashes, that keep out the chill
And those who, when gone, remain with us still
Grasshopper Writes 