Rise and Fall

This is my original song tribute to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, a town which has lost much in recent years including its ferry link with the US. Click "more info" to read lyrics.

Rise and Fall

Here I am squinting against the late sun,
with my mind fixed on nothing at all.
The harbour's so quiet, the fishing is done,
I'm just watching the waves rise and fall.

The dock's standing idle; a few herring gulls
wheel and cry in the westering light.
The lobster boats groan as they ride on the swells
and a stray cat steps down out of sight.

Oh where are you now, my September friends?
And have you forgotten me?
There's nothing but silence, the way summer ends -
no ferries or trains, no buses or jet planes,
or travellers come by the sea,
or travellers come by the sea.

Here I am, scuffing the boards with my shoe,
while a street lamp is winking to starboard.
A beacon still beckons on old Cape Forchu,
and bell-buoys call - sad - from the harbour.

I think of my grandson, who'll grow to a man
in this town, where the water runs lonely.
He would stay here forever, but I doubt that he can,
with "no hope" or "too late" or "if only".

Oh where are you now, my September friends?
And will you come back for me?
There's nothing but silence, the way summer ends -
no ferries or trains, no buses or jet planes,
no smiling new faces or laughter.
No dreams left for us to run after.

Here I am leaning against the late sun,
chasing memories I can't quite recall.
The harbour's so quiet, the fishing is done.
I'm just watching the waves rise and fall.
Just watching the waves rise and fall.

Brenda Tate (c)2011

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Yarmouth
• Nova Scotia
• ferry
• CAT
• photography
• ocean
• sea
• fishing
• song
• original
• Brenda Tate
• Canada

[paulboon]

lovely song and lovely pics

[silharima]

@paulboon Thanks so very much - that means a lot to me!

[littleredmistic]

Wonderfully done ! thanks for putting my picture in your video ♥

[silharima]

@littleredmistic Thanks very much! And I was happy to have that shot of you holding the ferry sign. It says a lot.

[peoplestandup]

Wow you just get better you did awesome job! Bravo!! Love pictures!

[silharima]

@peoplestandup Thank you, my friend. I try ...

[zzenzero]

An exceptional video in every way which is getting the response it so richly deserves. This song, together with Elyden's song, shows an inspiration and creativity that is very special when it happens, and suggests that the golden rabbit is weaving its magic well this year as I hoped it might. The heart is moved by joy and sadness alike. Bless you. :)

[PersonalTributes]

Thank you very beautiful:-)

[radionut63]

@silharima yeah we keep on trucking along, but sooner or later if this continues, something well have to happen sooner or later, and i'm sure it wont be nice!

[silharima]

@radionut63 Thank you so very much, as this is near and dear to my heart. Atlantic Canada is in crisis but we just keep on keeping on, don't we?