The Presence - Mc Gregor/Fisher - Gerry Kane

The Presence - a poem by Stuart McGregor set to music by Archie Fisher. Bob Wood - of the Ramshead in Claygate fame - thought this to me over 15 years ago (and you can find it on Bob's CD - "When the moon sit's fat on a scudding cloud")

THE PRESENCE
It was out in the long Spring grass, she said
When the night was soft on the hill
He touched my ear with his voice, she said
And my blood ran sweet and chill
I laugh in my sleep at their jibes, she said
'Though they call me "old maid" still.

I have seen them sprinkled, weaned, and loved
The young girls fondled and wed
I've watched their dreams grow as grey as the hair
That the limping sheepdog sheds
But mine are as green as the tall pines
That lean by Lochernhead

And he never came back to my father's byre
But on an April night
When the moon sits fat on a scudding cloud
And the stars are quick and white
I have known his clutch, like a cloak of fire
And his limbs, like swords of light

And my eye is wet by the fire, she said
But not with lust or shame
I mourn no shepherd laid low in the hills
I weep in the starry flame
With the joy of what I can never lose
But what I dare not name.
It was out in the long Spring grass, she said...

(Words by Stewart MacGregor
Music by Archie Fisher, MCPS)

• Category

  Music

[David H]

Gerry. Class!



[Andrea Wubben]

you really inspired me i might just take up guitar thanks gerry. karl

[MistressNimue]

wonderful, have wanted to learn this song for ages, am feeling inspired to try.

[XxSpartaxX]

very nice mate... cheers! subscribed

[cleeselover]

Such a beautiful song, and you play it just right, Gerry! Thank you for posting it.

[LiteGauge]

Very nicely played