The Djukella Orchestra's brand new studio album, carefully crafted to soothe the soul and remind you it's the world, rather than you that has been going insane.
Comes in a beautiful gatefold case, with a 24 page booklet filled with musings, lyrics and some glorious photos by Yasmine Zarrouk and various others.
Includes unlimited streaming of The Fruitful Fells
via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
Ewan MacColl wrote this song at the age of 89 after trying and failing to summit Suilven, in Wester Ross with his wife, Peggy Seeger and their kids. He sat on a wall while they continued on to the peak, contemplated the notion that he’d climbed his last mountain and felt mightily depressed. Then he wrote this song, which he said made him feel “slightly less depressed”.
I first heard it sung by Rory Mcleod, who coupled it with this 15th century Italian tune whose name escapes me. James Gavin asked me to record a version for his album Chewing the Fat, and features another gorgeous version on the forthcoming More Than You Can Chew - Live at Union Chapel. Here it’s stripped back to the most sparing of Djukella arrangements, giving the tune, and indeed the incredible lyrics a chance to breathe. For all those loved one’s who’ve come before us, and all those to come.
lyrics
Farewell, you northern hills, you mountains all goodbye
Moorlands and stony ridges, crags and peaks, goodbye
Glyder Fach farewell, Cul Beagh, Scafell, cloud-bearing Suilven
Sun-warmed rocks and the cold of Bleaklow’s frozen sea
The wind and the rain and the snows from hills and mountains
Days in the sun and the tempered wind and the air like wine
And you drink and you drink till you're drunk on the joy of living
Farewell to you, my love, my time is almost done
Lie in my arms once more until the darkness comes
You filled all my days, held the night at bay, dearest companion
Years pass by and they're gone with the speed of birds in flight
Our lives like the verse of a song heard in the mountains
Give me your hand and love and join your voice with mine
And we'll sing of the hurt and the pain and the joy of living
Farewell to you, my chicks, soon you must fly alone
Flesh of my flesh, my future life, bone of my bone
May your wings be strong may your days be long safe be your journey
Each of you bears inside of you the gift of love
May it bring you light and warmth and the pleasure of giving
Eagerly savour each new day and the taste of its mouth
Never lose sight of the thrill and the joy of living
Take me to some high place of heather, rock and ling
Scatter my dust and ashes, feed me to the wind
So that I may be part of all you see, the air you are breathing
I'll be part of the curlew's cry and the soaring hawk
The blue milkwort and the sundew hung with diamonds
I'll be riding the gentle breeze as it blows through your hair
Reminding you how we shared in the joy of living
credits
from The Fruitful Fells,
released July 6, 2021
Jez - Voice/Guitar
Nye Parsons - Double-bass
Piotr Jordan - Viola
James Patrick Gavin - Violin
Recorded by Mike West at Ninth Ward Pickin Parlor
Mastered by Nick Watson at Fluid Mastering
supported by 4 fans who also own “The Joy of Living”
Just another Superb well delivered album by this wonderful versatile artist very well recorded produced its a must for anyone's collection. Nancys vocals are brilliant as ever..
stand out album. maz2
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