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Festival Wind

by Alexander James Adams

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  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

    These songs and stories for the festival season have been collected from four live recordings along the west coast and then the best takes were used to form the album.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $10 USD  or more

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    These songs and stories for the festival season have been collected from four live recordings along the west coast and then the best takes were used to form the album.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Festival Wind via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 7 days

      $20 USD or more 

     

1.
FESTIVAL WIND Music & Lyrics by Heather Alexander The sun comes up and it starts the day, So I grab a cup of my favourite tae, And I cross the creek where the crawdads play in their watery home- The weasel whistles and the herons hum, And the pixie pirouettes upon my thumb, So I know that the day has finally come, it’s time to roam- PACK OUR BAGS, HARNESS THE HORSES! FOR THE FROG JUST DANCED, THE CAT JUST GRINNED! I'VE NOW HEARD FROM RELIABLE SOURCES, THAT WE'RE BOUND OUT ON THE FESTIVAL WIND! A belt, a broach and a cloak of wool, And a tin cup, knife and a wooden bowl, And some sweet pucheen in a crushkin full is what we’ll need- Wrapped up tight in the family plaid, Are the grins and giggles of the games we’ve played, And they’re all trussed up in the tools of trade to earn our feed- We bless the cottage as we depart, With Dobbin and Maggie to pull our cart, For they’re sure of foot and stout of heart and strong of will- As we rove out in the light spring rain, The roads turn rough and the horses strain, But the laughter’s sure then to ease the strain as we push up hill- When the day is done and the moon has smiled, And the starlight’s gotten us both beguiled, Then the faeries dance, the magic’s wild on a night like this- We dream of fancies that we would seek, And the wishes dear that we dare not speak, And perchance to feel then upon the cheek a midnight kiss! When we arrive at the village faire, Pennants and ribbons bright fill the air! Blacksmith, haustler and tinker are there, Magic and music extraordinaire! Sea Fire Productions Inc. c&p 2003
2.
BROOM OF THE COWDENKNOWES Traditional Scottish song Arranged by Heather Alexander How blythe was I, each morn' ta see, My lassie come o'er yon hill- She leapt the bairn and she ran ta me, I met her wi' good will- OH THE BROOM, THE BONNIE, BONNIE BROOM, THE BROOM OF THE COWDENKNOWES- 'FAIN WOULD I BE IN MY AINE COUNTRY, GUARDIN' HER FATHER'S YOWES- Hard the fate, that I should banished be, Gang wearily and mourn- Because I lo'ed the fairest lass, That ever yet was born- Fare weel, ye Cowdeknowes, fare weel, Fare weel, all the pleasures there- Ta wander by her side again, Is all I crave or care- Sea Fire Productions inc c&p 2003
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THE DEVIL & THE FARMER'S WIFE Celtic Traditional Arranged by Heather Alexander There was an old couple who lived near Hell, If they're not dead, they're living there still- The Devil he came to the man at the plow, "I've come for one of your family now!" WHACK-FOL-DAY, FO-LIKITY FOL-I-DOL DAY! "Which of me family do you like best?" "Your scoldin' old wife, 'tis she I like best!" "Take her away with all of me heart, And I hope the two of you never need part!" The Devil, he hoisted her on to his back, No peddler was ever so proud of his pack- He's carried her off to the gates of Hell's wall, She's out with her boot and she's flattened it all! Some devils came down to put her in a sack! She's out with her boot and she's broken their backs! The devils cried out from up on the wall, "Take her back Daddy! She'll murder us all!" The Devil returned in the tenth of the time, "Take her back, Farmer! I'm changin' my mind!" "What'll you give me for takin' her in?" "I offer no more than the wages of sin!" "If you want to be rid of this scoldin' old hen, You'll never be-divil my family again!" The Devil did cry, the Devil did howl But he never returned to the man at the plow! "Well, I've been a Divil for most of me life But I n'er was in Hell 'til I met with your wife!" Sea Fier Productions Inc c&p 2003
5.
HAP'N' FROG OF CAMBREADTH Music & Lyrics - Heather Alexander (to the tune of March of Cambreadth) Hap’n’ Frog sittin’ on the road- Lookin’ just like any other toad, Bright lights flash from way off far- Little does he know, it’s a moving car! Jumps aside and it’s not too late- He won’t end up on the interstate! Touches ground and sounds his cry: HOW MANY OF YOU CAN CATCH A FLY?! Rambo Frog travels by the moon- Meets with Mr. Red Raccoon- Soon they’re joined by the tortoise and hare, To make sure the animals all play fair! A fight’s broke out at the water hole, The natives have all lost control! Froggy’s boys come from on high, HOW MANY OF YOU CAN CATCH A FLY?! The fight goes on, a cry is heard- Rambo Frog’s caught by a bird! But don’t you fret and don’t you frown, ‘Cause Red Raccoon’s gonna bring him down! The dust is up and we hear a wail, Froggy’s pluckin’ Birdie’s tail! Boot that bird butt to the sky! HOW MANY OF YOU CAN CATCH A FLY?! Dawn is broke, it’s time to roam, All of the animals wander home- They’ve paid the price and had a ball, Can’t wait for the next big brawl! Froggy whistles up a tune, Joined by Mr Red Raccoon- Tortoise and Hare wave them “Good-bye”! HOW MANY OF YOU CAN CATCH A FLY?! Hap’n’ Frog sittin’ on the road, Lookin’ just like any other toad- Bright lights flash from way off far- But now he knows it’s a moving car! Jumps aside and it’s not too late- One point less for the interstate! Touches ground and sounds his cry: HOW MANY OF YOU CAN CATCH A FLY?! Sea Fire Productions Inc c&p 2003
6.
Bedlam Boys 05:04
BEDLAM BOYS Traditional Song Arranged by Heather Alexander For to see Mad Tom of Bedlam, Ten thousand miles I've traveled- Mad Maudlin goes on dirty toes, For to save her shoes from gravel STILL I SING BONNIE BOYS! BONNIE MAD BOYS! BEDLAM BOYS ARE BONNIE! FOR THEY ALL GO BARE AND THEY LIVE BY THE AIR AND THEY WANT NO DRINK OR MONEY! I went down to Satan's kitchen, For to get me food one mornin'- And there I got souls pipin' hot, All on a spit a'turnin! From the Hag and the hungry Goblin, That into rags would rend ye- All the sprites that stand by the naked man, In the book of Moons defend ye! My staff has murdered giants, And me bag, a long knife carries- For to cut mince pies from children's thighs, And feed them to the faeries! The spirits white as lightening, Would on me travels, guide me- The stars would shake and the moon would quake, Whenever they espied me! And when that I'll be murderin', The Man in the Moon to a powder- His staff, I'll break and his dog I'll shake, And there'll howl no demon louder! For to see Mad Tom of Bedlam, Ten thousand years I've traveled- Mad Maudlin goes on dirty toes- For to save her shoes from gravel! Sea Fire Productions Inc c&p 2003
7.
KING HENRY Traditional Childe Ballad Arranged with Traditional Tune, Black Nag For Fiddle by Heather Alexander Let never a man a 'wooing wend, Who lacketh things a-three- A store of gold, an open heart, And full of charity- This was said of King Henry, As he lay quite alone- For he's taken him to a haunted hall, Seven miles from the town- Oh, he has driven him, deer before, The doe down by the glen- 'Til the fattest buck in all the flock, King Henry, he has slain- His huntsmen followed him to the hall, To make them burly cheer- When loud the wind was heard to howl, And an earthquake rocked the floor! As darkness covered all the hall, When they sat at their meat- The greyhounds, yowling, left their food, And crept to Henry's feet- And louder howled the rising wind, That burst the fastened door- And in there came a grizzily ghost, Stamping across the floor! Her head hit the roof top of the house, Her middle, you could not span- Each frightened huntsman fled the hall, And left the king alone- Her teeth were like the tethered stakes, Her nose, a club or mell- And nothing less she seemed to be, Than a fiend that comes from Hell! "Some meat, some meat! Ya King Henry, some meat ya bring to me! Go kill your horse, ya King Henry And bring some meat to me!" He has slain his berry-brown stead, It made his heart full sore- For she's eaten it up all skin and bone, Left nothing but hide and hair! "More meat, more meat! Ya King Henry, more meat ya bring to me! Go kill your greyhounds King Henry, And bring some meat to me!" He has slain his good greyhounds, It made his heart full sore- For she's eaten them up all skin and bone, Left nothing but hide and hair! "More meat, more meat! Ya King Henry, more meat ya bring to me! Go kill your goshawks King Henry, And bring some meat to me!" He has slain his good goshawks, It made his heart full sore- For she's eaten them up all skin and bone, Left nothing but feathers bare! "A drink, a drink! Ya King Henry, a drink ya bring to me! Sew up your horse hide, King Henry And bring some drink to me!" He has sewn the bloody hide, A pipe of wine put in- And she's drank it down, all in one drop, Left never a drop therein! "A bed, a bed! Ya King Henry, a bed ya make for me! Oh, you must pull the heather green, And make it soft for me!" He has pulled the heather green, And made for her a bed- And taken has he, his good mantle, And over it, he has spread- "Take off your clothes now, King Henry, And lay down by me side! Oh swear, oh swear, you King Henry, To take me as your bride!" "God forbid," says King Henry "That ever the like betide! That ever a fiend that comes from Hell, Should stretch down by my side!" The dark is gone, the day has come, The sunlight fills the hall- The fairest lady that ever was seen, Lay t'wix him and the wall- "I've laid with many a gentle knight, That gave me such a thrill. But never before with a perfect knight, That gave me all my will!" Sea Fire Productions c&p 2003
8.
High Barbary 04:15
HIGH BARBARY Traditional Arranged by Heather Alexander Look ahead, look astern, look the weather and the lee, BLOW HIGH, BLOW LOW, AND SO SAILED WE! I see a wreck to windward and a lofty ship to lee, ASAILIN' DOWN ALONG THE COAST OF HIGH BARBARY! "Are you a privateer, or a man-o-war?" cried we, "I am a lusty pirate ship come lookin' for my fee!" For broadside, for broadside, we fought along the main, Until at last the frigate shot the pirate's mast away- With cutlass and gun, oh, we fought for hours three, The ship, it was their coffin, and their grave, it was the sea- "For quarter, for quarter!" the saucy pirates cried, But the quarter that we showed them was to sink them in the tide! And oh, twas a cruel sight, and grieved us full sore, To see them all a-drownin' as they tried to swim ashore- Sea Fire Productions Inc c&p 2003
9.
Twa Corbies 04:30
TWA CORBIES Scottish Traditional Arranged by Heather Alexander As I went walkin' all alain, I heard twa corbies makin' main, The tain unto the 'tither did say oh- "Where sall we gang and dine the day-o?" "Where sall we gang and dine the day?" "In behint yon old fell dyke, I wot there lies a new-slain knight, And naybody kens that he lies there-o But his hawk and his hound and his lady fair-o But his hawk and his hound and his lady fair!" "His hound is to the hunting gain, His hawk to fetch the wild fowl hame, His lady's ta'en anither mate-o So we may mak our dinner sweet-o So we may mak our dinner sweet!" "Ye'll sit on his white haus-bane, And I'll pike out his bonnie blue 'een, And wi' a lock of his golden hair-o We'll theek our nest when it grows bare-o Theek our nest when it grows bare!" "Many a one for him maks main, But nane sall ken where he is gain, O'er his white bones, when they are bare-o The wind sall blow for ever mare-o The wind sall blow for ever mare!" As I went walkin' all alain, I heard twa corbies makin' main, The tain unto the 'tither did say oh- "Where sall we gang and dine the day-o?" "Where sall we gang and dine the day?" Sea Fire Productions Inc c&p 2003
10.
THE MOLECATCHER Traditional Arranged by Heather Alexander In Wellington town at the sign of The Plow, There lived a molecatcher, shall I tell you now- He had a young wife, she was buxom and gay, And she and another young farmer did play! LOW-TO-LIE-DAY, LOW-TO-LITTLE-LIE LOW-TO-LIE-DAY! Well the farmer, he knocked on her door and did say, "Where is the molecatcher, good woman, I pray?" "He's out catchin' moles, love, you need have no fear." But she did not know the molecatcher was near! Well, he crept up the stairs in the midst of their frollick, The molecatcher caught him right up by the jacket! Said, "I've been a molecatcher for most of me life, But here's the best mole I've ever caught with me wife!" "Well, I'll make you pay dearly for 'tillin me ground'! I'll take from your pocket, a full twenty pound!" "Twenty pounds," says the farmer, "Well I really can't mind. For it only works out about tuppence a time!" Sea Fire Productions Inc c&p 2003
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12.
THE GOLDEN RING Music & Lyrics by Heather Alexander Gather ‘round, my friends to me- Advice I have for you- It stems from my experience, And I swear that it is true- We’re all meant for adventure, There’s paths where we must go- In light of my last journey, There are some things You need to know- All of us are tempted, All of us will fail- The trick is learning right from wrong, And letting good prevail- We all can have the power now Of Darkness to command, But what could happen to your soul If you wield that… Upon your hand- FOR IT'S EASY TO BE CARELESS, EASY NOT TO THINK, EASY JUST TO VANISH IN A BLINK DENOUNCING YOUR REALITY SUCH A SIMPLE THING- A HARMLESS HABIT, MUCH AS PUTTING ON… A GOLDEN RING- You wear it closely to your heart, As if from a heavy chain- It shreads the soul to many a part, And you’re never quite the same- Don’t ever heed it’s beck and call, It’s hatred and it’s ire- For if you love this world at all, Return it to… It’s forging fire- Now you’ved listened to my thoughts, Pray keep them in your mind- Someday it might seem easier, To be cruel or unkind- Remember some of what I’ve said, For when the moment’s through- Of danger done by darkness, The bearer then…. Might well be you- Sea Fire Productions, Inc c&p 2003
13.
THE BOW’S TURNED BACK Music & Lyrics by Heather Alexander When the night turns lonely, I think of you only, As I’m rocked on waves of the storm- Your arms around me, your charms astound me, You kiss is keeping me warm- I’ve heard the cry from the crow’s nest high, That we’re homeward bound straight and true- Just a few more nights, and I’ll see the lights, That will bring me back home to you- FOR THE WIND IS BLOWIN’, THE SEA IS ROLLIN' THE DOLPHINS DANCE IN THE FOAM- THE SEAGULL'S SINGIN' IN THE HIGHEST RIGGIN' AND THE BOW'S TURNED BACK TO MY HOME- It’s been a long travel, enough to unravel, The strongest sailor adrift- As the dreams take o’er me, you appear before me, In not but a simple white shift- To be so far from you when I finally come to, Is far more than I can stand- When I touch the shore you will be at the door, With a tall, warm drink for my hand- The sea is a creature of whimsical feature, A lady fair so they’ve said- But she’ll aim hard to take you, make you or break you, And wash you up soon then for dead- Her love, it is fickle, a silvery sickle, That twists and turns ‘round on you fast- Just ask any sailor, he’ll say without failure, The best of the trip is last! Keep a light burnin’! I am returnin’! I’ll be home by the three quarter moon- I’ll be in your arms very soon- With every tall wave that we breach I come that much closer to your loving reach! Sea Fire Productiuons, Inc c&p 2003

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released March 1, 2003

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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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