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about

Written while I was Songwriter-in-Residence at Havant Literary Festival 2013, about the sycamore tree which stands at the heart of the local primary school. (The school is built in an arv around the tree). I spent a day there doing some workshops with the youngsters, and returned a couple of days later to headline in the school hall at the evening concert. The tree and its place in the community struck something with me and this is the result.

lyrics

THESE ROOTS


On a damp October morning the seed that grew me fell
It landed where the earth was soft, it landed safe and well
From seedling into sapling, a tree can take its time
Two centuries a sycamore: these roots are mine.

One bright September morning foundation stones were laid
Strong walls rose up to claim the ground where fox and badger played
Fresh brickwork upon brickwork so fast in such short time
Around this ageing sycamore – these roots are mine.

And all the years, and all the years, and all the years
And all the years, and all the years, and all the years

Now every Autumn morning they gather here to learn
I watch them settle, watch them grow and see them leave in turn
But I make no such journey – a tree can take its time
Two centuries a sycamore: these roots are mine.

And all the years, and all the years, and all the years
And all the years, and all the years, and all the years

Fill your pockets with the seeds I scatter
Fill them good and deep, fill them good and deep
Give them to the wind: it doesn’t matter
Where or when – the seeds will keep...

So I will shade your children and they will carry mine;
Two centuries a sycamore: a tree takes time...

Two centuries a sycamore: these roots are mine.

___________________________________________

Words & music by & © Talis Kimberley 2013

credits

from ALBUM: Songs for the Wood, released March 5, 2014
The Blond Ovation, in the studio, with the Tascam. Made shinier by Mark Long.

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Talis Kimberley UK

"I'm a songwriter and singer; my songs are spun from folklore and history, stirred well with a hazel wand and served with cake. I'll sing you ravens and bones and the story behind the story, I'll sing you bread and apples, ghosts and knitting, and bring you home with a pocketful of feathers and hope"

Voice / guitar / English concertina

Festivals, folk clubs, libraries, museums, & protests...
... more

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