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As I opened the magical Green Man book by William Anderson and Clive Hicks, this poem by Anderson leafed out of the pages and twined itself round a tune.
lyrics
Like antlers, like veins of the brain, the birches
Mark patterns of mind on the red winter sky
I am thought of all plants, says the Green Man
I am thought of all plants, says he. (repeat)
The ashes are clashing their boughs like sword dancers
As the black buds to trace a wild face in the clouds
I come with the wind, says the Green Man
I come with the wind, says he. (repeat)
The Alders are rattling as though ready for battle
Guarding the grove where she waits for her lover;
'I burn with desire, 'says the Green Man,
'I burn with desire, 'says he.
In and out of the yellowing wands of the willow
The pollen-bright bees are plundering the catkins;
'I am honey of love, 'says the Green Man,
'I am honey of love, 'says he.
The hedges of quick are thick with May-blossom
As the dancers advance on the leaf-covered King
It’s off with my head, says the Green Man
It’s off with my head, says he (repeat)
Green Man becomes grown man in flames of the oak
As it's crown forms his mask and it's leafage his features;
'I speak through the oak, 'says the Green Man
'I speak though the oak, 'say he.
The holly is flowering as hayfields are rolling
Their gleaming long grasses like waves of the sea;
'I shine with the sun, 'says the Green Man,
'I shine with the sun, 'says he,
The hazels are rocking the cups of their nuts
As harvesters shout when the last sheaf is cut;
'I swim with the salmon, 'says the Green man,
'I swim with the salmon, 'says he.
The globes of the grapes are robing with bloom
Like the hazes of Autumn,like the Milky Way's stardust;
'I am crushed for your drink,'says the Green man,
'I am crushed for your drink,'says he,
The aspen drops silver of leaves on earth's salver
And the poplars shed gold on the young ivy flower heads;
'I have paid for your pleasure,'says the Greenman,
'I have paid for your pleasure,'says he.
The reed beds are flanking in silence the islands
Where meditates Wisdom as she waits and waits:
'I have kept her secret, 'says the Green Man,
'I have kept her secret, 'says he.
The bark of the elder makes whistles for children
To call to the deer as the rove over the snow;
'I am born in the dark, 'says the Green Man,
'I am born in the dark, 'says he.
credits
from Summon the Sun,
released December 2, 2020
(c) WIlliam Anderson arr. Lynn Noel
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
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