I have a tall green friend. For 15 years he has been the home for hundreds of birds who come and go in the small wildlife sanctuary where Stu and I live. My friend gives us shade, and his leaves sparkle with molten gold as the sun rises at dawn into his branches. My friend whispers to me when the breeze stirs. He gives me solid, sweet hugs whenever I ask. He is vulnerable, this friend. Death sits beneath him, waiting. But my friend faces these dark threats with courage solid as wood. I cherish every minute I have with him.

I love him.

And this is his story.

∞∞∞

Aelwyd Elywyd's Waltz (Elegy for an Elm)

Words, music, vocals, piano, and harmonium by Diane Laura Rains.  Copyright © 2019 by Diane Laura Rains. All Rights Reserved.  

∞∞∞  LYRICS ∞∞∞

Once upon a simpler time,
I had a friend.
And he wrapped me
in tender leafy arms when I was small.

When I climbed up there to treetop air,
I could see for miles,
and my world grew as wide
as trees are tall.

Elm tree, elm tree,
tell me your name!
Is it written on the breath of
sleeping squirrels and singing birds?

If you whisper it with every leaf,
I will listen as I stand beneath,
and my heart will hear you speak
your wooded words.

He said, “I’m sunlight. I am green growth.
I’m the shadow cast by the moon.
My branches hold the singing stars,
and the sighs of bumblebees.

“I’m where shy does entrust their fawns
to the cool shade beneath my boughs.
They all sing my name in
the language of trees.”

Elm tree, elm tree,
tell me what you know!
How do dewdrops fall, and night birds fly
over vast and tumbling seas?

Tell me secret ways to root in ground,
and sing in meadows where larks abound.
Won’t you teach me
the language of trees?

My family moved to a distant place,
and I left my elm behind.
Like raindrops on a slender leaf,
the years slipped and fell away.

With the heavy weight of circumstance,
I grew tired of adulthood’s dance,
and I returned to my old friend
of childhood days.

Oh, elm tree, elm tree,
your branches hang so low!
Your leaves are brown. Your crown is bare, and
your bark hangs in decay.

I’m so sorry time has wrought these harms
with scorching droughts and relentless storms!
I grieve for you and for secrets
that fade away!

He said, “Don’t grieve! My name is “Hearth,”
and it’s sung inside the egg.
If I had secrets, they were never far;
they were never hid.

“As you’ve stood here, you have known this
in the green arbor of your mind.
My children flourish!
I am Aelwyd Elywyd.

“I’m still the harbor where moths rest
beneath the blue eyes of the moon,
still a refuge in summer where
the fragile nestling hides.

“I’m the guardian
who has watched you grow
from a sapling child into your own.
I am mortal, but the best of me abides!”

“So when I die, let me stand
and lean to the wind.
I’ll still shelter nesting birds
in my gray, tender hand.

“Then do not cry at my silence,
for I’ll see you again.
And the heart of me beats
all through this green land!”

Oh, my Aelwyd Elywyd,
I shall sing your name to the breeze!
And you taught me
Love is the language of trees!

The Singing Grove

Aelwyd Elywyd's Waltz (Elegy for an Elm)

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Aelwyd Elywyd's Waltz (Elegy For An Elm)

Flidais is a fascinating figure in Irish mythology. She is a wild thing, a goddess  most at home in the vast forest with a herd of does and a magic cow for her companions. Born of the De Danaan – a clan of fae folk - Flidais is known as the Protectress of wild animals, cattle, and deer. In the old tales she has colorful encounters with men, as well. She demonstrates powerful magic and a powerful libido, as well!  

I see Flidais in the deep dark eyes of does who wander the prairie and woods that Stu and I call home. To them I dedicate this song.

∞∞∞

FLIDAIS OF THE FOREST

Words, music, vocals, egg shaker, and harmonium by Diane Laura Rains. Hammered dulcimer by Stu Janis.

Copyright © 2019 by Diane Laura Rains. All Rights Reserved.

∞∞∞ LYRICS ∞∞∞

A young man went walking in deep woods one day.
After some hours he lost his way.
Tired and confused, he sat under a tree, saying
“If no one passes here, what will become of me?”

He cried, “Can any, anyone hear me?
Won’t someone show me the way to town?
If not, I fear that I’ll surely perish
and leave my bones upon this ground.”

Then from the dark wood, a lady appeared
walking quite barefoot among a herd of deer.
Skin fair as milk, hair of strawberry gold,
gown green as young ivy, dark eyes bright and bold.

Upon her shoulder there sat a falcon.
Butterflies flew ‘round her head and settled like a cloud.
At her right hand stood a beautiful cow
whose lowing was musical, though he cold not say how.

“Lady, oh, lady, I’m struck as if by blows
to see such a fair maid in the company of does!
Pray, can you help me get out of this place?
Or just let me die gazing on your lovely face.”

She said “I’m Flidais — Flidais The Soft-Haired.
These does are my children, these woods my home.
And if I help you, you’ll be in my debt —
a debt you must honor wherever you may roam.”

And she sang, “All wild creatures are my kine
fox, deer, and rabbit, vital and divine.
If you’d take my part,
walk among my daughters,
swim with the otters,
follow the White Hart.”

“Gladly, oh, Lady, do I accept your terms,
for you’ve spared this poor man a death among the worms
But grant me some cow’s milk; I’m weak as a calf.
And when I’ve recovered, your favor may I have?”

“Sir, she is special, my cow, ‘The Maol.’
She does not labor in the fields nor in the dairy toil.
But you may drink and grow strong again.
Her milk and my favor have sustained 300 men!

When they were sated, she led him away
out of the forest, so he’d live another day.
“Won’t you come with me? Yon town’s where I dwell.
It’s there we’ll be married, for you know I love you well!”

She said, "I'm Flidais of the De Danaan,
born to the Fair Folk who dwell in the west.
I won’t go with you, for here I’m needed:
Protector of Animals. It’s they that I love best!”

And she sang, “All wild creatures are my kine
fox, deer, and rabbit, vital and divine.
If you’d take my part,
walk among my daughters,
swim with the otters,
follow the White Hart.

Follow your wild heart!”

Flidais of the Forest

Flidais Of The Forest

Ceol Sidhe is the married musical duo of Diane Rains (aka Crow Bard) and Stu Janis. [How do you say our name? "Kyohl SHEE"]

The Irish Good Folk (known also as "fairies") make astonishing music, called "ceol Sidhe" in Gaeilge, the Irish language. Bewitching, alluring, sometimes a little dangerous! It travels on the wind and lands where it will.

The music of Ceol Sidhe duo explores and celebrates the beauty and mystery of fairy music. We sing of the vast splendor of stars. Of an enchanting island hidden in magical mist. Of ancient goddesses and the alluring realm of Fairy. We sing of hearts both human and Fae.

∞∞∞


Header art: Greek Girls Picking up Pebbles by the Sea, by Frederic Leighton, ca. 1871

New tracks tagged #neptune&#x27;s Keep

New tracks tagged #neptune's Keep