This song written back in 2016 pulls together several significant threads for me; it came about after attending a mindfulness meditation weekend retreat facilitated by Rob Nairn. This was my launch into an ancient and diverse healing practice, essentially teaching a widening of seeing and hearing. And noticing that what is seen in the present moment is more than enough: enough to chew over for a whole lifetime!
I fell in love with the simplicity of an old Scottish folk song, 'parting glass', attributed to one Sir Alex Boswell as far back as 1650. This popular tune was later replaced by the well-known Auld Lang Syne. I have blatantly borrowed the finely crafted melody and replaced all the words with my own.
Except (being a 'thieving musician'), I have also borrowed from Hafiz, one of my favourite Sufi poets - well-tweaked, snipped and cut of course. His images defeat explanation and are best suggested in song. As he says in one of his poems (translated by Daniel Ladinsky):
"I wish I could speak like music"
Though the music has a predominantly melancholic undertow, it swings into a 'thumbs up' mode with some counter-intuitive humour: our very Loss is turned on its head as the Beloved (an image inspired by Sufi poetry) 'wins' and gives back even more abundantly, laughing... enough said, already too many words, let the song sing for itself!
And fittingly, my palms are indeed upturned as I invite any people (perhaps those who know me) who feel inclined to sponsor our LifeCycle song project to please contact me on liz.jessam@gmail.com
All songs are recorded and edited in my home-based studio using basic computer, cellphone, Ipad technology.
Sponsorship or not, the songs will continue to come.. so do subscribe and share!
