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Laura Bassett of Seattle set this lovely melody to an enthralling poem by English poet and philanthropist Adelaide Anne Procter. Born into a literary family, Procter began publishing as a teenager in Dickens periodicals and feminist journals. In her day, she was celebrated as the most popular poet after Tennyson. I love to sing this while staring into the fire to see Adelaide's images rise before me in the coals.
lyrics
What is it you ask me, darling?
All my stories, child, you know;
I have no strange dreams to tell you,
Pictures I have none to show.
Tell you glorious scenes of travel?
Nay, my child, that cannot be,
I have seen no foreign countries,
Marvels none on land or sea.
CHORUS: Yet strange sights in truth I witness,
And I gaze until I tire,
Wondrous pictures, changing ever,
As I look into the fire.
There, last night, I saw a cavern,
Black as pitch; within it lay
Coiled in many folds a dragon,
Glaring as if turned at bay.
And a knight in dismal armour
On a winged eagle came,
To do battle with this dragon;
And his crest was all of flame.
As I gazed the dragon faded,
And, instead, sat Pluto crowned,
By a lake of burning fire;
Spirits dark were crouching round.
That was gone, and lo! before me,
A cathedral vast and grim;
I could almost hear the organ
Peal alone the arches dim.
Then I saw a maiden wreathing
Starry flowers in garlands sweet;
Did she see the fiery serpent
That was wrapped about her feet?
That fell crashing all and vanished;
And I saw two armies close--
I could almost hear the clarions,
And the shouting of the foes.
They were gone; and lo! bright angels,
On a barren mountain wild,
Raised appealing arms to Heaven,
Bearing up a little child.
And I gazed, and gazed, and slowly
Gathered in my eyes sad tears,
And the fiery pictures bore me
Back through distant dreams of years.
Once again I tasted sorrow,
With past joy was once more gay,
Till the shade had gathered round me--
And the fire had died away.
credits
from Set to the Music,
released July 24, 2021
Adelaide Anne Procter arr. Laura Bassett
Lynn Noel brings traditional song and heritage arts online to create community. Lynn has a voice of striking clarity and
power, equally at home in rhythmic chanteys and flowing ballads.
Lynn is a respected song session leader on both sides of the Atlantic and the producer and host of the Mermaid's Tavern online folk club. She is currently Program Chair of the New England Folk Festival (NEFFA)....more
supported by 4 fans who also own “Pictures in the Fire”
I became an instant fan the first time I heard Alex singing at a jam during tumbleweed a few years back.Since then I have followed whatever I could of their work. Their songs about the Burgess shale and toad mining are my favorites. Don’t miss this stuff! stonesong
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