A song made from a mixed bag of childhood memories; as jumbled as they get, for me they are anchored to a place. One of my favourites is mostly built up now, but they recently gave one of the new streets a name that summed up things I recall.
With thanks to Janice and Bud for kindly agreeing to bring their magic to this one.


Swallows Rise ( with Janice)

video ( my second try at a song vid.):

Swallows Rise/video

Style is _SECLUDE.STY (Seclude Dramatic Newgrass)

RealTracks in style: 2421:Bass, Acoustic, RockabillySlapBoomChicka Ev16 100
RealTracks in style: 2458:Strings, Rhythm CelticWaltz Ev 100
RealTracks in style: 623:Banjo, Background Backporch Ev 098
RealTracks in style: 1765:Guitar, High-Strung Acoustic, Fingerpicking Pop16ths Ev16 085
RealDrums in style: PopAmericanEv^1-a:SS 1/2 BB, b:Snare Half BB



Swallows Rise

days of frost with fingers blue
take the thistle from your shoe
in tunnels from lightning hide
blanket your sister from the sky
remember the preacher says
they are sparks from heaven`s lathe

dragonflies on days of sun
try to make their four engine hum
slip your dance between my rhymes
hear crickets sing in daddy`s mind
remember arms become wings
when there are no apron strings

make for me a crown of daisy chains
shake your rattle round the once and future king
take me where my heart still resides
our birds forever fly
we`ll climb the hill to Swallows Rise

days of rust and falling gold
save our secret in the old oak knoll
bluebell scythe throw on the fire
swallows tremble wait on the wire
remember us and be brave
you are sparks from heaven`s lathe

make for me a crown of daisy chains
shake your rattle round the once and future king
take me where my heart still resides
our birds forever fly
we`ll climb the hill to Swallows Rise

© Robert Cordrey Sept.2017

Hi Robert,

What a truly beautiful pop-folk song. Brilliant lyric and Janet's voice is the perfect addition. The backing tracks and their mix is as good as it gets.

This is a totally delightful listen. COngrats you and all involved. Again ... gorgeous song.

Alan

Robert,

Great job on this - in all regards.

An interesting write - as your songs so often are... poetry... excellent prosody throughout... although I do not understand all the references, they fall on my ear well - and will likely reveal their meaning in time.

Excellent instrumentation. One of your best. Just enough. Not too much. Allows the lyric/vocals to shine.

The vocals are super. You are at your best here. Like a Rod McKuen record. Janice's harmonies are perfectly supportive (and never "taking the spotlight") - perfect.

This is Poetic Music at it's best.

fj

Good on every level. Good write, vocals are spot on, nice choice of instruments too; that banjo sits in the mix perfectly.

Loved it!

Very cool song Robert. I absolutely love your vocal on this song. Janice's harmonies were so gentle and complimentary to your vocal. Lyrics was excellent. Banjo in the back was very cool. This has to be my favorite of all your songs. Well done

What a tune! You guys nailed this. The vocals are on point, and it just sounds very professionally arranged and written. I honestly wouldn't change a thing here. The lyrics paint a vivid picture as well.

Great work, and thanks so much for sharing!

You always made very nice song; I think you have outdone yourself this time.

I loved melody so much in this song. Very nice.

Janice remember me some "Joan Baez" second vocal in her duets with Bob Dylan.

Sergio

Alan,
Thanks very much for this;I often do lots of revision on the lyrics, but this one was quick so I`m glad you liked them.
I knew, of course that Janice would, sing very close to the lead and she nailed it in one take.

Robert



Thank you, Floyd!
My request to Bud and Janice was that the harmony be close to duet levels ( well the song is about brothers & sisters) and am very happy with the result.
There is one very "English" reference in the lyrics - The Once And Future King is a book about King Arthur probably not well known in the US ... our games were as often Knights and Damsels as Cowboys and Indians.

Robert

Hi, Robert !:))


Wonderful tune and so
also the duet with Janice !
Superb co-op leaves nothing
else to wish for !!!:))

Cheers
Dani

I see your childhood, I see mine

great journey

take me where my heart still resides

different places but still the same

we were so lucky to have a childhood where you played

outside and went at it as hard as possible until you were

called in for dinner, not slaves to phones and xbox.

great melody and nice vocals and harmonies

enjoyed this a lot Robert

Kenny

Thank you Alan. I enjoyed learning and singing the part.

Janice




Thanks floyd! Bud always says "you've never had footlights in your eyes"

Janice

Thank you, Dave!
Getting the banjo in the right place in the mix was a bit tricky...luckily Bud`s instincts are flawless in this genre.

Robert



Scott,
Thanks for your kind comments.
This was a very comfortable tune to sing for me - one of a short list of my own favourites I`d be ok about singing live.
Yes, Janice`s harmony is a wonder - "glued on " as I said when adding it to the track.

Robert

Hello, Robert

Really beautiful pop-folk song!
Harmonies with Janice remind me of Peter, Paul and Mary a little bit.
A faint discord tone of the banjo arpeggio and drums entering from the middle are good spices for this song.
Enjoyed my listen a lot.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

Deryk,
Thanks for your listen and comments. I have to give kudos to the PG Music style makers here- I didn`t feel the need to change anything in this one!

Robert




That`s very kind, Sergio - I`m happy you enjoyed our " almost duet".
Robert



Thank you, Dani!

Kenny,
I really appreciate your comments!
Its good to hear you say this song connected on that level.
Yeah, those times of hardly any toys but loads of freedom for kids seem to be long gone... lord knows I can see what`s lost, but whatever is gained by filling days with screen time escapes me.

Robert

What a beautiful song. I can feel the nostalgia in this one, and the lyrics are almost a little abstract in an amazing sort of way. I really like this one. Great job you guys!

Robert

Wonderful writing good tune evocative lyrics - enjoyed the video - your's and Janice's vocals (which are as usual superb) are very complimentary.
Excellent work by all involved.

Peter

Hi Shigeki,
Thank you for your listen and comments.
I thought holding the banjo back at the start gave the song a lift when it came in too and the drums are a bit surprising in a Bluegrass style.
I`m glad you enjoyed this.

Robert

Attracted by the sweet title I found a beautiful and wistful
trip back to early childhood. Most enjoyable.
Very professional on all levels.
Well done to all concerned. Cheers.

The lyrics sound like something Don McLean would write.
And that puts in in very good company.
Love the support vocals.
Very thoughtful write.
Thanks for sharing.
Rob

Ember,
I`m glad you enjoyed this. As I said in the intro, those old memories do get mixed up... so I didn`t try to make too much sense of them in this song.
Thanks for your listen and kind comments.

Robert



Thanks for listening and liking, Peter.
I appreciate your mention of the video - it was fun doing that.

Robert

Thanks y’all. My part felt so natural on this. And I loved the story.

J&B

Awesome man.

Many thanks for that!




Rob,
Thank you!
I missed all but Don McLean`t UK hits, but your kind comment has nudged me to go listen some more.

Robert

This is just so well placed. Excellent creativity, and the team have delivered once again, no question.

Everything about this song is first class.

All wrapped around absolutely sensational lyrics.

Thank you, sir!



That`s very kind - thanks for your listen and comments.

Robert

Thank y'all so very much. It was fun contributing to this! I can still see the rich imagery.

J&B

Thanks for your listen and likes, Greg,
You probably did hear Rod McKuen`s Seasons in the Sun,but by Terry Jacks - cool song.

Robert

Hi Robert,

Well that beautiful voice again in combination with Janice's subtle backing vocals.
A perfect blend!
That banjo Backporch works very well, by the way.

Rob and Anne-Marie

Thanks for mentioning the harmony and, yes, Kenny it felt that way to me also.

Janice

Wow! Robert, what a great tune. Love the lyrics. And like Floyd said, the instrumentation is just right. Your vocals are the best I've heard of you, and adding Janice's vocal is just the icing on the top.

Really love this one!

Steve

Rob and Anne-Marie,
I`m happy you enjoyed this-it was a treat to have Janice sing such a close harmony.
The banjo RT was the best choice for the song, though I think Bud, with a real knowledge of the instrument, would have preferred something a little less busy.

Robert

Thanks very much, Steve - that`s made my day!

Robert

Thanks Ember and Peter. Your nice words are appreciated!

Janice

Thank you Rob!

Janice



Thanks you two! Your harmonies blends are wonderful and I much appreciate you say that about ours.

Janice





Thank you so much Steve!!

Janice

Cracking song, well done both of you

Thank you, Graham!

Beautiful song Robert! The lyrics are wonderful as they always are in your songs!! There are some really great lines in here!! Janice gave a great contribution to this one as well!! Take care, Torrey

I`m glad you enjoyed this, Torrey.
Hearing another voice ( especially with the quality Janice brings) on the song makes it more real for me- reminds me of the days when singing friends were in the same room!

Robert

Thanks for listening and commenting on the vocals. I do appreciate it.

Janice