Ring-necked Pheasants are not imaginary
Sir Gaunie and the Witch
“Witching Creek” painted with watercolors by Sanford Ross Bender in May, 1982.
King Henry was a mighty man,
Who lived in Engeland,
No harm e’re fell on honest folk,
From out of Henry’s hand.
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Sir Gaunie was a noble knight,
Handsome for to see,
And he’s to marry with a witch,
To save King Henery.
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The witch from out the deep, green wood,
Told Henry what to say,
She told him that a woman always,
Wanted for her way.
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King Henry answered well and true.
He spake so bright, so gay
The Baron sadly hung his head.
And sadly rode away.
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Sir Gaunie was a noble knight,
And many a tear was shed,
The day he married with a witch,
And taken her to bed.
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‘Twas then she turned a princess fair,
And though they all did try,
No fairer one was ever seen,
With sight of human eye.
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Swimming to the moon
Tiptoe into Dreams on the Night Train
Lost Money
Eggshell Love
Quiet, please!
I know the way
I just uploaded the original version of “I know the way” prior to having added the mandolin part posted last week. At that time, I had decided to let the mandolin part become more prominent. The guitar and concertina parts threaded in and out from the background with only intermittent assertions in accompaniment. Such richness of barely heard voices are revealed when a single dominating presence sifts into silence! SRB
Dirge
The next morning, I added a clarinet part to the composition while imagining another musician in the sombre parade. I also realized that the independent concertina and guitar parts needed to be separated.. The lower wind-blown tones of the clarinet blends with the higher tones emitted through the concertina’s bellows while interweaving with the resonant dobro bass line. The guitar part in the reprise provides hope and renewal. S.R. Bender
Swirling in cosmic dust
