'Clock of the World' by Krista Detor, featuring Karine Polwart, Emily Smith, and Rachael McShane

Darwin Song Project Concert
Shrewsbury, UK
March 19th 2009

CLOCK OF THE WORLD
written by Krista Detor
(lyrics included below)

performed by:
KRISTA DETOR
http://www.kristadetor.com,
KARINE POLWART
http://www.karinepolwart.com,
EMILY SMITH
http://www.emilysmith.org,
and
RACHAEL McSHANE
http://www.myspace.com/rachaelmcshane

In March 2009 eight folk singer/songwriters gathered together for a week long songwriting residential in rural Shropshire to create songs that had a relevance and resonance with Charles Darwin.

The eight artists were Krista Detor, Chris Wood, Karine Polwart, Stu Hanna, Rachael McShane, Emily Smith, Mark Erelli, and Jez Lowe.

The whole concert was recorded for an upcoming CD release (July 2009), and the 8 musicians will reconvene at the Shrewsbury Folk Festival in August, to once again perform the 19 songs that were written during the week.

Details on the upcoming CD release can be found at
http://www.darwinsongproject.com

and details of the festival at
http://www.shrewsburyfolkfestival.co.uk

Sound mixed by Stu Hanna
Video recorded and edited by Microvideo, Shrewsbury
_________________________

LYRICS: CLOCK OF THE WORLD
© Krista Detor, 3/09

I am pondering the citizenry of the place I live.
Privilege and advantage, but a willingness to give.
These droves and droves of immigrants came teaming cross the plains
the cavalry behind them, and we are what remains.

And if youve got a dollar, someonell give you something for it
but a little morell get you something nicer,
Im sure of it.
Maybe a watch made in China from the trunk of someones car
or a lifesize cardboard cutout of a famous movie star.

CHORUS:
But somewhere bells are ringing
Somewhere someones marrying
Or a casket someones carrying
A crowd somewhere is gathering
Somewhere a bell is marking
What is passing and sublime
Like the clock of the world
Keeping perfect holy time

Ravenous and beautiful, its all beyond me, I admit.
I can buy it if I want it, but I dont need so much of it.
And the price will need repaying, dont know how it will be met.
But bells go on ringing, grace may find us yet.

Or will the angels stumble, weary, tired of tasks theyve been assigned?
Bells ringing resoundly, while they hold the firing lines?
With great imagination we call these creatures from the air and as easily convince ourselves that they were never there.

CHORUS
But somewhere bells are ringing
Somewhere someones marrying
Or a casket someones carrying
A crowd somewhere is gathering
Somewhere a bell is marking
What is passing and sublime
Like the clock of the world
Keeping perfect holy time

I am listening for a church bell and I know somewhere it rings,
reading Darwin by the window, in the order of natural things.
There is grandeur in his viewpoint
these evolutionary strains
still nothings quiet on the Eastern front,
So the cavalry remains. Always the cavalry remains.

And if youve got a dollar, someonell give you something for it
but a little morell get you something nicer, Im sure of it .
Heres a painting of a woman, maybe all the way from Rome
Look how sad and pretty, shes so far away from home.

CHORUS
But somewhere bells are ringing
Somewhere someones marrying
Or a casket someones carrying
A crowd somewhere is gathering
Somewhere a bell is marking
What is passing and sublime
Like the clock of the world
Keeping perfect holy time

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Clock of the World
• Krista Detor
• Karine Polwart
• Emily Smith
• Rachael McShane
• Darwin Song Project
• Shrewsbury Folk Festival
• Chris Wood
• Stu Hanna
• Mark Erelli

[WVSunbird]

This song is inexpressibly sublime! Krista Detor never ceases to amaze me with her inexhaustible well of talent for songwriting for any occasion, for any one or group of singers, for any one or combination of instruments! This performance is impeccable, simply exquisite! Um, yeah, I guess I kinda REALLY do love it!!

[atuuschaaw]

Absolutely beautiful! The beauty of the vocals whisked me away to a completely melancholy introspective and reflective place that was wonderful! What a dynamic group of talent!

[neilandcarolyn]

Stunningly beautiful. I first heard this song today, after I bought Krista's "Chocolate Paper Suites". I hit replay all the way to and from work. It just blows me away.

[koollama]

I heard this song on Princeton university a while ago, took some time to find it.  What an amazing song, thank you for this.

[fairlybursting]

The harmonies are exquisite... Thanks to all the artists for this gift.

[floozysuzie20]

Wow absolutely fantastic thanks.

[trimnells]

A wonderful product of the Darwin Song Project. Emily Smith is an absolute songbird here leading the third verse. Thank you Neil for posting this.....I shall look forward to the next concert upload which I am really hoping will be Karine Polwarts Were All Leaving?

[MoNoHair]

This is chillingly beautiful! and what sublime harmonies! There's a real Celtic feel to this - can't wait until the album is released!

[broomgirl]

wonderful, thanx so much! xo

[sobargo]

Such a nice touch from such a gifted artist. Thank you Krista.......