Wonky Wendy resided in Yatton
and had one skinny leg and a fat’n
With seventeen toes
and more than one nose
she went naked with only a hat on
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yatton
If you expand the panoramic view you may just be able to see Wendy’s fat leg sticking out from behind the church!
If you fancy sharing one of your favourite songs on Jim Adams’ Song Lyric Sunday you can find out how to participate, and also listen to all the great entries, here.
Jim gives us the chance to share familiar, and sometimes not so familiar, songs. This week I’ve chosen a not so familiar song that is all about feel. It’s sung by an artist in many senses of the word and, if I were a betting man, I’d bet you a fair sum of money that you have never heard of her.
The singer is The Glass Child, Charlotte Eriksson.
Leaving her home of Gothenburg, Sweden, with nothing but a guitar, her stories, and a dream, at age 18, she moved to London to dedicate her life to her music and art. She has achieved so much more than she had ever imagined. Eriksson is an artist, an author, a songwriter, and founder of the artist collective, Broken Glass Records.
On a personal mission to “touch at least one soul out there and make them feel they belong,” the world inhabited by The Glass Child is a beautiful place.
As an author of 4 books of prose and poetry including her latest release, Everything Changed When I Forgave Myself, Eriksson shares her growth and collections of memories spanning from her vagabonding ways, her artistry, her search for a home and mental health to travel essays on love and loss in the hope that her readers would find a connection and comfort in her words. She slowly began to find herself and her supporters one by one, wandering through foreign cities, finding shelter at train stations, airports and helpful friends’ couches, singing and sharing her stories to whoever would listen.
You can discover much more about her here on her web pages. You can even book her to give a private performance in your own home! This lady, now 29, is not your average pop star. I think she is rather special!
The song she is singing is called Hypnic Jerk. Have you ever jumped when falling asleep and woken yourself up? Well, that is a Hypnic Jerk! Bet you didn’t know that either.
So, here is The Glass Child singing a song where a young girl settles down at night with her lover.
Or does she?
Can she really feel him there?
Can she see him beside her?
Is he really there?
You decide!
There are two versions. The first is a very rough recording, at 3am, just as the song has been written.
The second is a more polished version
Hypnic Jerk
The day is finally over and you come alive
I’m slowly opening my window let you come inside
In the dark, all my fears they all disappear
It’s a hoax my love
I’ve seen it all before
You hear him whisper like a distant call
And then he tells you that he miss you, makes you feel so small
In the dark with the stars it all seems so close
In your head it’s real he’s getting near and
Softly, you lay your head beside me
Say you feel my heart beat
I’m too numb to feel you
I’m to numb to see you
Tell me are you see-through?
This ghost you’re turning into
I shut my eyes, and you’re no longer here
And when the sun is slowly rising it all hits me hard
Like a knife in my chest ripping out my heart
Reality is out there tearing lives apart
I’m living here alone with just a memory of you
I’m acting normal saying hi each day
One feet and then the other, hide your ghost away
Then they say the day is over and you come alive
In my head it’s real, you’re getting near
Softly, you lay your head beside me
Say you feel my heart beat
I’m too numb to feel you
I’m to numb to see you
Tell me are you see-through?
This ghost you’re turning into
I shut my eyes, and you’re no longer here
Source: Musixmatch
Charlie the clown came from Zelah
he was peculiar fella
His nose was so big
he looked like a pig
and his eyes were a very deep yella
Zelah is a village in Cornwall, England, approximately 5 miles (8 kilometres) north of Truro. Zelah is the largest settlement in the civil parish of St Allen. The parish population in the 2001 census was 435.
In picking this village, at random, I discovered a strange happenstance.
Happenstance is, I think, my favourite word. Life is full of them, and I always delight in finding, encountering, and living through them…….Anyway, back to the happenstance.
E R Kelly’s Directory of Cornwall lists two public houses in the village in the 1883 entry and shows on the map both The Hawkins Arms – licensee Mr John Borlase and just behind to the east the Half-Moon Public House – licensee John Jose.
Now, I live in a small town which boasts a pub called the Sir John Borlase Warren, named after Admiral Sir John Borlase Warren,1st Baronet GCB GCH PC (2 September 1753 – 27 February 1822) who was a British Royal Navy officer, diplomat and politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1774 and 1807. He was born in this town.
Whether the two were related, I have no idea, but it does seem a rather strange happenstance, and that makes me very happy!
I am easily pleased.
Jim Adams’ Song Lyric Sunday gives us the chance to share familiar, and sometimes not so familiar, songs. This week we’re asked to go with Promise, Vow, or Oath and I’ve chosen to link to the word Promise.If you fancy sharing one of your favourite songs you can find out how to participate, and also listen to all the great entries, here.
The song I’ve chosen is Promised Land originally recorded by Chuck Berry to the melody of “Wabash Cannonball“, an American folk song.
In the lyrics, the singer (who refers to himself as “the poor boy”) tells of his journey from Norfolk, Virginia, to the “Promised Land”, Los Angeles, California, mentioning various cities in Southern states that he passes through on his journey. It has subsequently been performed by numerous other artists, including the Grateful Dead which should please Jim!!!
However, I reckon that the best cover of this song was provided by Johnnie Allan
He was Born in Rayne, Louisiana, and grew up in a musical family. At age six he obtained his first guitar and by age thirteen he was playing with Walter Mouton and the Scott Playboys, a traditional Cajun music band. About two years later he switched to Lawrence Walker and the Wandering Aces, another traditional Cajun band.
Throughout the 1960s he pursued his music career while developing a distinguished career in education and would often use the school PA system to advertise his latest records!
He combined his love and expertise in music and education as the author of two books on Cajun culture.
Just look at this album cover. What a fantastic head of hair!
I’m including two versions of the song. The original recording and a later supposedly live performance where they were miming!
Now that is accordion playing at its best!
There was a young lady from Zouch
who walked with a terrible slouch
whilst reading her missal
she sat on a thistle
and decided next time she would crouch
There is a lovely riverside walk in Zouch
Jim Adams’ Song Lyric Sunday gives us the chance to share familiar, and sometimes not so familiar, songs. This week, from his options of Give /Get /Take /Receive /Send I’ve chosen to link to the word TAKE.
If you fancy sharing one of your favourite songs you can find out how to participate, and also listen to all the great entries, here.
I imagine you’ve all heard of Phil Collins, the drummer, and backing vocals singer, for the rock band Genesis, who rather reluctantly took over as lead singer when Peter Gabriel left the band in August 1975.
The rest, as they say, is history. He had tremendous success as the lead singer, went on to have a very successful solo career, and also formed the Phil Collins Big Band. Despite his popular success he was often slated by the critics and even dubbed “The most hated man in rock” by the Daily Telegraph.
I guess he is, in British terms, a Marmite star. You either love him, or hate him. I happen to love him!
I am sharing with you the song Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now) This version is linked to the film Against all Odds directed by Taylor Hackford and starring Rachel Ward, Jeff Bridges, James Woods, Alex Karras and Jane Greer.
There is a second version below, performed at Live Aid in 1985. He had a rather hectic schedule that day, performing at both the London, and Philadelphia concerts!
Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)
How can I just let you walk away
Just let you leave without a trace?
When I stand here taking every breath with you, ooh ooh
You’re the only one who really knew me at all
How can you just walk away from me
When all I can do is watch you leave?
‘Cause we’ve shared the laughter and the pain
And even shared the tears
You’re the only one who really knew me at all
So take a look at me now
Well there’s just an empty space
And there’s nothing left here to remind me
Just the memory of your face
Ooh, take a look at me now
Well there’s just an empty space
And you coming back to me is against the odds
And that’s what I’ve got to face
I wish I could just make you turn around
Turn around and see me cry
There’s so much I need to say to you
So many reasons why
You’re the only one who really knew me at all
So take a look at me now
Well there’s just an empty space
And there’s nothing left here to remind me
Just the memory of your face
Now Take a look at me now
‘Cause that’s just an empty space
But to wait for you is all I can do
And that’s what I’ve got to face
Take a good look at me now
‘Cause I’ll still be standing here
And you coming back to me is against all odds
It’s the chance I’ve got to take
Take a look at me now
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Phillip David Charles Collins
Against All Odds lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Concord Music Publishing LLC
On 13th July 1985, Collins took part in the Live Aid concerts, a continuation of the fundraising effort started by Band Aid. Collins was the only performer to appear at the London concert at Wembley Stadium, and the U.S. concert at JFK Stadium in Philadelphia on the same day. After he performed “Against All Odds” and “In the Air Tonight” and sang alongside Sting, Collins travelled to Philadelphia via Concorde to perform his solo material, play drums for Clapton, and drum with Plant and Jimmy Page for a Led Zeppelin reunion.
Broadcast across the world via one of the largest satellite link-ups of all time, the concerts were seen by around 40% of the global population.
In this video you will see a rare bum note in his playing, and he was accused of not rehearsing properly for the American end of his busy day. I think he can be excused for that!
I hope you enjoy!
There was a young lady from York
who thought babies came with the stork
She went out with Sid
who said that they did
but proved otherwise on a walk
Here we are again with Jim Adams’ Song Lyric Sunday where he gives us the chance to share familiar, and sometimes not so familiar, songs. This week he’s asked us to share North/South/East/West.
If you fancy sharing one of your favourite songs you can find out how to participate, and also listen to all the great entries, here.
Since Jim has given us any direction, I’m heading off on my own and ignoring a few conventions. It’s Sunday, it’s music, but this week there are no song lyrics. Not that this group are purely instrumental, but it just so happens that their most recognised work has no lyrics. It is something that a lot of you will recognise and it is a tune that will have you tapping your feet, if not actually getting up to have a little dance.
The group were a Progressive Rock Band who were known for their symphonic progressive music that was very much jazz orientated. So much so that, after this release, they were often booked to play at clubs, universities, and concert halls where the audience were rather disappointed to find that almost the entire performance produced no danceable music. However, they usually kept this for the last piece and everybody rose to their feet and demanded encore after encore while they danced wildly.
The group is East of Eden, and the great dance music is Jig-a-Jig.
It was released in May 1970 and peaked at #7 in the UK singles charts. It is actually a set of three traditional reels, namely “The Ashplant Reel”, “Drowsy Maggie” and “Jenny’s Chicken”.
Here is the Studio version:
and a live performance at the Cork Folk Festival 2015
Incidentally the fine fiddle player David Arbus was a guest musician on the Who’s track “Baba O’Riley”, playing the violin solo. He was a friend of that band’s drummer Keith Moon, and was also later a member of Fiddler’s Dram.
Go on, have a dance – no-one is watching!
On hearing the wonderful Blackbird song at twilight tonight:
It really is delightful
It really is sublime
I cannot do it justice
in just a simple rhyme
Finding inspiration in the little things
I am more than breath & bones.
Hoping to make the world more beautiful
... nutrition/fitness/personal growth
a light hearted look at caravanning through the eyes of a couple of grey nomads.
Words Fail
In 2016, aged 48, I suffered a stroke. Now I'm coming through the other side.
When a woman tells the truth she is creating the possibility for more truth around her. Adrienne Rich
Where shall we go today?
A Journal Of Everyday Life
Getting cancer and trying to continue life as normal as possible.
Old Guy Photography
I AIM TO PLEASE THE YOUNG AND YOUNG AT HEART WITH POEMS DESIGNED FOR KIDS. READ ALONG WITH YOUR SMALL TOTS FOR FUN.. LET'S MAKE RHYMING FUN AND EXCITING!!!
Trying to Understand Is Worth It
To put down in print, the thoughts rattling around in my head.
My Reflections and Expressions
Travels in our Mazda Bongo camper van
Writing is the way.
Poetry and Photographs
We went to France ..... and then we came back.
A Londoner now enjoying country living.
Food and good cheer bring people together
The little and large things making my life delicious!
Grumpliciousness
Bits of Wit, Wisdom and Well-Being
Sonder
Life Adventures of A Wanderer
