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A Gypsy's Home

by Alexander James Adams

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    Songs and tunes for traveling on the road with not a care in the world and all the freedom you can claim.
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    Songs and tunes for traveling on the road with not a care in the world and all the freedom you can claim.

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1.
GYPSY BARDIC TINKER PEOPLE Music & Lyrics: Heather Alexander Gypsy bardic tinker people, Singing all night in the church’s steeple- They build a fire on the chapel lawn, Dance until the crack of dawn, When the mists are parted then you’ll find them gone- Those gypsy bardic tinker people- Some folk say they’re all demented, But it seems to me that they’re quite contented- They live their days from end to start, To us they seem like worlds apart, But have you looked deep into the heart- Of the gypsy bardic tinker people- SWIRL & TURN, CRACKLE & BURN, YOU'D BE SURPRISED AT WHAT YOU'D LEARN- CRY & LAUGH, TAKE & GIVE- IT'S NOT WHAT YOU HAVE, BUT HOW YOU LIVE- WITH THE GYPSY BARDIC TINKER PEOPLE- With horse and cart and a family fire, The spirits here couldn’t get much higher- Of land and sky, they love it all, Proud to stand, yet honour a fall, 'Cause living life is the highest call- To the gypsy bardic tinker people- They speak the truth for the ears that hear it, We won’t believe, but we’re happy to fear it- With secret ways and whispers low, We’re all so glad to see them go, But we miss the wonders that we’ll never know- Of the gypsy bardic tinker people- With morning prayers and midnight revels, The town is thinking they all are devils- These ancient ways are solid set, We’d save their souls but we haven’t yet, ‘Cause they’re closer to heaven then we’ll ever get- Those gypsy bardic tinker people- 2nd chorus SWIRL & TURN, CRACKLE & BURN, TO HONOUR LIFE IS WHAT YOU'D LEARN- CRY & LAUGH, TAKE & GIVE- IT'S NOT WHAT YOU HAVE, BUT HOW YOU LIVE- WITH THE GYPSY BARDIC TINKER PEOPLE- Sea Fire Productions Inc c&p 2001
2.
LAYDIES BRYNG YOUR FLOWERS FAIRE Music & Lyrics: Heather Alexander Oh Laydies, bryng your flowers faire, Fresh as the morning dew- Virgin white, and through the night, I will make sweet love to you! The petals soon grow soft and fall, Upon which we may rest- With gentle sigh I'll softly lie, My head upon your breast- And dreams like many wonderous flowers, Will blossom from our sleep- With steady arm from any harm, My laydie I will keep- Through soft spring days and summer's haze, I will be with thee 'til when- The fall draws near, I disappear, 'Til spring has come again! Oh Laydies, bryng your flowers faire, Fresh as the morning dew- Virgin white, and through the night, I will make sweet love to you! Sea Fire Productions Inc c&p 2001
3.
COME BY THE HILLS Lyrics: W.Gordon Smith (with permission) Music: traditional Arrangement: Heather Alexander Come by the hills to the land, Where fancy is free- Stand where the peaks meet the sky, And the lochs reach the sea- Where the rivers run clear, And the bracken is gold in the sun- And the cares of tomorrow must wait, 'Til this day is done- Come by the hills to the land, Where life is a song- Sing while the birds fill the air, With their joy all day long- Where the trees sway in time, And even the wind sings in tune- And the cares of tomorrow must wait, 'Til this day is done- Come by the hills to the land, Where legends remain- The stories of old fill our hearts, And may yet come again- Where the past has been lost, And the future is still to be won- And the cares of tomorrow must wait, 'Til this day is done- Sea Fire Productions Inc p 2001
4.
WOODEN TOY SWORD Music & Lyrics: Heather Alexander Oh a father and son, they were bonded as one, But the heart of the family soon tore- For out sounded the call, to one and to all, That the king and the land went to war- Oh, the laddie, he cried, but his father denied, To bring the young soldier along- “For your might I award this wooden toy sword And I charge you to carry this song” WON"T YOU COME & WAIT FOR ME AT THE GATE, WITH YOUR WOODEN TOY SWORD IN YOUR HAND? IT IS THEN I WILL COME WITH THE BEAT OF THE DRUM, FROM DEFENDING MY KING AND MY LAND- So the father he taught his son as he ought, To defend both his hearth and his home- Ah but soon came the day that his Da went away, Across the wild horses of foam- He practised ‘til night with skill & with might, To learn how to fight for a king- & he’d shun other boys with their useless new toys, And he’d whistle a song and he’d sing- Oh the years slowly turned, broad shoulders grew burned, Fine hair lengthened to a wild, mane- In the middle of spring, with a fell practice swing, The toy sword had broken to twain- Oh the brake caused him harm, as the wood pierced his arm, And the blood flowed quite free to the ground- As his vision grew dim, the wind mourned out a hymn, That echoed these words round and round: Though the day had grown late, the young man went to wait, And unsteadily gazed at the sky- As the red sun sank low it soon caused him to know, That his last day of childhood would die- Oh the stars swam across the night sky with his loss, And his father appeared in that sea- And the drum of his heart nearly broke him apart, As he fell to the ground on one knee- For he’d come to wait for his Da at the gate, With a broken toy sword in his hand- From beyond Death he’ll come at the beat of love’s drum, To honour his son and his land- Sea Fire Productions c&p 2001
5.
Gypsy's Fire 03:28
GYPSY'S FIRE Music & Lyrics: Heather Alexander Additional Lyrics: Philip Obermarck Bite of spring, little kiss of rain, Nature sings with Her wild refrain- Heed the call of the old town cryer, "I've just seen the first gypsy fire!" ROUND AND ROUND! HIGHER AND HIGHER! SPIRITS BOUND BY A WILD DESIRE! LET IT RAZE THE VERY TOWN ENTIRE! ALL ABLAZE WITH A GYPSY'S FIRE! Sweating heat in the summer steam, Makes a body glisten and gleam- Sun-burnt arms in the evening warm and tight, Slip and slide on a gypsy night! Muscles stretch in the autumn breeze, Ripened vines help to tangle and tease- Harvest comes in the midst of flower and thorn, Bonfires burn 'til the night is worn! Winter snow cannot still the heat, That commands gypsy hearts to beat- Tumbling deep down beneath the furs can bring, Bright budding gypsies in the spring! Round and round Nature's wheel will turn, In that pattern every heart can burn- Every season as the sun retires, Watch you sharp for those gypsy fires! Sea Fire Productions Inc c&p 2001
6.
7.
HEATHER ON THE MOOR Traditional Music & Lyrics Additional Lyrics and Arrangement: Heather Alexander I roved out on a bright May morn So calm and clear was the weather, Chanced to roam some miles from home Among the beautiful bloomin' heather- AND IT'S HEATHER ON THE MOOR! OVER THE HEATHER! OVER THE MOOR AND AMONG THE HEATHER! Chanced to roam some miles from home Among the beautiful bloomin' heather- AND IT'S HEATHER ON THE MOOR! As I roved along with me huntin' song And me heart as light as any feather, I met a pretty maid upon the way She was trippin' the dew down from the heather- "Where are you going to, me pretty fair maid?" "Come hill or dale, now tell me whether" Right modestly, she answered me, "To the feedin' of me lambs, together" "I come from far beyond the hill To fetch a lamb that strayed from t'ether," "But I think I'll stay awhile this day And take me time among the heather!" Well we both shook hands and there we sat For it being the finest day in summer, And we sat 'til the red setting beams of the sun Came a-sparkling down upon the heather- "Well I must be gone before night's dawn And take the little one with the others," But I am loathe to part from you As loathe are lambs to depart their mothers!" Up she rose and away she goes Her place and name I know not either, But if I was king, I'd make her queen! The lass I met among the heather- Sea Fire Productions Inc. p 2001
8.
THE HEXAMSHIRE LASS Traditional Music & Lyrics Arrangement: Heather Alexander Away with the buff and the blue! Away with the cap and the feather! I want to see my lass who lives in Hexamshire! OVER THE SAYBE SYKE AND OVER THE MOSS AND THE MYER! I WANT TO SEE MY LASS WHO LIVES IN HEXAMSHIRE! Her father loves her well And her mother loves her better I love the lass mesel' but man, I canna get her! If only I could be A-liein' there beside her While I must bide here, my arms will be denied her! Of this of mine, Of this love I'm weary! Sleep, I can't get none, for thinkin' of me deary! My heart is like to break And my bosom is on fire So well I love that lass who lives in Hexamshire! Her skin is soft as silk And her hair is fine as silver Her breasts are deep and cool, they'll warm when I get near her! Away with the parson's shilling! Away with the cap and the feather! I want to see my lass who lives in Hexamshire! Sea Fire Productions Inc p 2001
9.
THE WHISTLING GYPSY ROVER Traditional Music & Lyrics Arrangement: Heather Alexander The whistling gypsy's come over the hill, Down by the river so shady- He whistled and he sang 'til the green woods rang, 'Cause he'd won the heart of a lady! HOW-DI-DO, HOW-DI-DO-DA-DAY HOW-DI-DO, HOW-DI-DAY! HE WHISTLED AND HE SANG 'TIL THE GREEN WOODS RANG 'CAUSE HE'D WON THE HEART OF A LADY! She left her home by the castle gate, She left her own true lover- She left her servants and her estate, To follow the gypsy rover- Her father saddled up his fastest steed, Rode through the valley all over- Sought his daughter at greatest speed, And followed the gypsy rover- At last he came to a castle, fine, Down by the river Claydie- And there was music and there was wine, For the gypsy and his lady- "He is no gypsy, my father" says she, "But Lord of these valleys all over! And I will stay 'til my dying day, With my whistling gypsy rover!" Sea Fire Productions Inc p 2001
10.
COME WITH ME, SIR Music & Lyrics: Heather Alexander I walked out one balmy summer day, A beautiful lady soon appeared in my way- I met her eye, my heart began to fly, And this is what I heard the lass to say: REMEMBER! REMEMBER OF ME! WILL YOU ONLY COME WITH ME, SIR? TAKE MY HAND? WALK BY THE SEA THROUGH THE SPARKLING SAND FORGET NOT ME OR WHAT HAS COME TO BE ON THIS BRIGHT DAY SO WARM AND GRAND! I walked with her through the hours of the day, She made me feel in a wondrous way- I asked her name but her words were just the same, She'd kiss me once and this is what she'd say: The sun had set and night was drawing near, She nestled close and I held her so dear- I woke at dawn, but my lady, she was gone, She left a kiss and the words I'll always hear: Sea Fire Productions Inc c&p 2001
11.
THE STAR OF MAY MORNING Music & Lyrics: Heather Alexander On a bright Beltaine morning, I rise from my sleep, And softly go walking where the dark is yet deep- And the tall eastern mountain, with it’s stretch to the sky, Casts a luminous shadow where my true love doth lie- I follow that shadow to where morning dew gleams, I’ll ne’er wake my love from his innocent dreams- Rather stand there in silence and watch for a while, For I’d ne’er wake his slumber, or trouble that smile- But passion soon takes me, my will then turns weak, And ever so gently, I kiss his fair cheek- So soft is that touch, he knows not I suppose, And upon his side pillow, I place one thornless rose The morning makes rainbows upon the white walls, Far off in the forest, the summer lark calls- Though the sun has now risen, one star I yet see, ‘Tis the Star of May Morning, my true love to me- He’s the Star of May Morning, my true love to me- Sea Fire Productions Inc c&p 2001
12.
13.
THE WITCH OF THE WESTMERELAND Music & Lyrics: Archie Fisher (with permission) Arrangement: Heather Alexander Pale was the wounded knight, That bore the rowan shield- Loud and cruel, the raven's cries, That feasted in the field- Sayin' "Beck water cold and clear, Will never clean your wound! There's none but the witch of the Westmereland Can make ye hail and sound!" "Then course well, my brindled hound, And fetch me the mountain hare- Whose coat is as green as the west water, Or as white as the lily fair!" It said, "Green moss and heather bands, Will never staunch the flood." "There's none but the witch of the Westmereland's Can save thy dear life's blood!" "So turn, turn your stallion's head 'Til his red mane flies in the wind- And the rider of the moon goes by And the bright star falls behind!" And clear was the palely moon, When his shadow passed him by- Below the hills were the brightest stars, When he heard the owlet cry- Sayin' "Why do you ride this way? And wherefore came ya here?" "I seek the witch of the Westmereland That dwells by the winding mire!" "Then fly free your good gray hawk To gather the goldenrod, And face your horse into the clouds Above yon gay green woods!" And it's weary, by the Ullswater, And the Misty Breakfern Way- 'Til through a cleft in the Kirkstan Pass, The Winding Water lay- He said, "Lie down, me brindled hound, And rest ye, my good gray hawk." "And thee, my steed, may graze thy fill For I must dismount and walk. But come, when you hear my horn, And answer swift the call! For I fear 'er the sun will rise this day You will serve me best of all!" And it's down to the water's brim, He's born the rowan shield- And the goldenrod, he has cast in, To see what the lake might yield- And wet, rose she from the lake, Full fast and fleet went she- One half the form of a maiden fair, With a jet-black mare's body- And loud, long and shrill he blew, 'Til his steed was by his side- High overhead, the gray hawk flew, And swiftly he did ride- Saying "Course well, me brindled hound!" "Fetch me the jet-black mare!" "Stoop and strike, me good gray hawk, And bring me the maiden fair!" She said, "Pray, sheathe thy silvery sword, Lay down thy rowan shield- For I see by the briney blood that flows You've been wounded in the field!" And she stood in a gown of velvet blue, Bound round with a silver chain- She's kissed his pale lips once and twice, Three times round again- And she's bound his wounds with the goldenrod, Full fast in her arms he lay- And he has risen hail and sound, With the sun high in the day! She said, "Ride with your brindled hound at heel, And your good gray hawk in hand! There's none can harm a knight who's lain With the witch of the Westmereland!" Sea Fire Productions Inc p 2001
14.
A GYPSY'S HOME Music & Lyrics: Heather Alexander Don't tell a gypsy she has no home, For the land is mine, where ever I roam- To a single place I need not return, For a gypsy's home is where the heart will burn! AND THE ROAD IS WIDE AND THE SKY IS TALL, AND BEFORE I DIE, I WILL SEE IT ALL! YES, THE ROAD IS WIDE AND THE SKY IS TALL, AND BEFORE I DIE, I WILL SEE IT ALL! Don't tell a gypsy she has no heart, Though my eyes are dry when we needs must part- For the gift of love I will give you free, It will last forever 'tween you and me! Don't tell a gypsy she has no soul, Though my path may tread where the heathen stroll- When you walk a day that is bright and fair, When you kiss the wind you will find me there! Sea Fire Productions Inc c&p 2001

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released April 1, 2001

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Alexander James Adams Redmond, Washington

A changling from the Land of Fae, Heather brings stories and songs from a world where magic never dies and anything can happen if you only believe.

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