1. My
Captain’s Hat for Rodriguez 3. Film of Gold 4. Sunshine & Sweet Serenade 5. Evening in the Tropics 6. Stumbling Blindly 7. Song for Mary 8. Sans Souci (instrumental) 9. William Loved His Horses 10. Royal Terns 11. Ernest in Dublin 12. Reaching for the Delta 13. November Song 14. Becalmed in the Doldrums 15. Red Fish, Blue Fish 2. Searching
4:03 5:20 3:20 4:01 4:00 4:26 4:14 2:21 4:26 3:46 7:06 3:49 4:14 6:10 3:32
Produced by Wynn Gogol and David Lowe CP2017 David Lowe (SOCAN). All rights reserved. Unauthorization reproduction, copying and rental of this recording is prohibited by law. Thank you for supporting my music and independent musicians. Available at
Contact: dlchamberfolk@gmail.com
1 MY CAPTAIN’S HAT (Lowe/Lightly) I have vivid childhood memories of family boating vacations on the Norfolk Broads, for which adventures my father wore his captain’s hat. I inherited it when he died and wore it until, while strolling through Aldeburgh, a coastal town on the North Sea, I finally found a worthy replacement. 2 SEARCHING FOR RODRIGUEZ (Lowe/Lightly) In Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, within a few blocks of the seaside malecon, the land rises steeply and the streets become ever more narrow and capricious. Surmounting obstacles like dead ends and precipitous flights of stone steps we eventually reached our Rodriguez Street destination! 3 FILM OF GOLD (Lowe) What to say about this one? It’s bits and pieces from both life and art. Perhaps a disclaimer: any resemblance to persons or events...and so on. 4 SUNSHINE & SWEET SERENADE (Lowe) This song had its start at a song-writing workshop. It grew slowly but exuberantly from there, with much feedback from others, which resulted in this change of pace. 5 EVENING IN THE TROPICS (Lowe) While teaching in Thailand we lived on campus, across from the children’s playground. One evening, staff and students alike flooded outdoors, drawn by the sudden arrival of thousands of fireflies. Later, drifting back inside, we were welcomed by a few wayward fireflies, dancing on our ceiling.
6 STUMBLING BLINDLY (Lowe/Lightly) We enjoyed winter in Kazakhstan, but there were challenges. Harsh weather and infrequent snow removal led to treacherous travel. Pedestrians regularly fell hard, like some relationships - fortunately not ours! 7 SONG FOR MARY (Lowe) Mary and I have been married for sixteen wonderful years. The second verse refers to the occasion of our first kiss, which took place at the Vancouver Folk Music Festival. 8 SANS-SOUCI (instrumental) (Lowe/Behm) This tune began as an instrumental I wrote for a favourite song - The Old Trail. Inspired by my then-new Blue Ring Acoustics guitar, I developed it further. Moritz’ expressive violin provides the magical finishing touch. 9 WILLIAM LOVED HIS HORSES (Lowe) This song is a tribute to my great-grandfather who worked with horses all his life. He would crack his whip near the ear of the lead horse to indicate the pace he wanted; but his whip never touched the horse. According to my father, he used to say, “A man who hits a horse doesn’t understand horses”. 10 ROYAL TERNS (Lowe) In Mauritania, West Africa, lying on the beach, I watched, with wonder, as flocks of seabirds headed north. These birds - royal terns – boast an impressive four-foot wingspan. They were migrating, by the hundreds and thousands, to Spain for the winter.
11 ERNEST IN DUBLIN 1921 (Lowe/Lightly) My grandfather was in the British army during the First World War. This song is based on a family story from the years after the war, when he was stationed in Dublin during the Irish War of Independence. 12 REACHING FOR THE DELTA (Lowe/Lightly) One June, walking the Yorkshire Moors near Malhamdale, we noticed water slowly bubbling out of the ground. It became a tiny stream for a short distance then disappeared into the limestone beneath our feet, only to reappear further down the hill – my first glimpse of the source of a river! A few days later we flew home over the magnificent Fraser Delta. This song combines those two experiences – artistic license. 13 NOVEMBER SONG (Lowe/Lightly) To those we loved who slipped betimes away: Jim, Hanni, Owen, Gail, Dan, Omid, Jonson...and Karen. 14 BECALMED IN THE DOLDRUMS (Lowe) As a boy, I loved C.S. Forester’s Horatio Hornblower stories. It seemed to me that, at sea, they were either in the teeth of a gale or becalmed in the doldrums. Other influences were a fascinating newspaper article on waves that I read on a transatlantic flight and the writings of Joseph Conrad. 15 RED FISH, BLUE FISH (Lowe) One of my favourite memories of Thailand is of snorkeling in the Similan Islands, surrounded by hundreds of brightly coloured fish. I managed to slip my father’s 1930s banjolele, as he called it, onto this track - to give it a bit of extra punch.
I would like to thank My producer, Wynn Gogol, for his patience, good humour, talent and recording skills; but above all, for his remarkable ability to coax the best possible performances from me. The contributing musicians, whose skills, talents and industry coloured my work in hues myriad and wonderful. For feedback, encouragement and suggestions: the late Jim Dorie, Roger Holdstock, Mary Lightly, Bob MacMillan, Bill Marshall, David McCoy, Brian Robertson, Bill Staines, Barry Truter, Vancouver Folk Song Society and Songwriters Association of Canada, Victoria Branch. David Donaldson for composing the instrumental for Ernest in Dublin, Alan Jones of Blue Ring Acoustics for building the guitar of my dreams. My long-time friend, Jeremy Long, for his wonderful front cover design.
Dedicated to my sister, Ann Dyer, for her crucial support of this project.
Credits
David Lowe: vocals, guitar, banjo-uke (15), resonator guitar (4,12) Tom Ackerman: clarinet (4,15) Moritz Behm: violin (1,3,7,8,10,13), mandolin (12) Rachel Capon: cello (6,11) Michelle Carlisle: vocals (7,9,12,14,15), piccolo (9) Wynn Gogol: bass (4,5,7,10,13), piano (4,5,14), keyboard (2), accordion (1,10,14) All songs written by David Lowe (SOCAN) with Mary Lightly (1,2,4,6,11,12,13) and Moritz Behm (8) Produced by Wynn Gogol & David Lowe Recorded, mixed and mastered by Wynn Gogol One Ton Studios, Victoria, B.C. CD cover design by Jeremy Long Back cover photo by Mary Lightly Graphic design by Wendy Wall, Off the Wall Design
David Lowe 1. My Captain's Hat
(Lowe/Lightly)
My captain’s hat has been with me through times both good and bad My father bought it years ago, when I was just a lad He only wore it once or twice, while boating in the spring It came to me still fresh and new, I’ve worn it ever since A shady walk through forest trails, a stroll beside the sea Come winter’s snow or spring’s chill rain, it keeps me company It keeps me warm, it keeps me dry; it fits my folky style I wear my Dad’s hat proudly; to wear it makes me smile As I make my way through life, that cap upon my head I think about the days gone by and time spent with my dad Building castles in the sand, stories of his life My captain steered a steady ship, through years of joy and strife That cap has taken much abuse; it’s faded blue to grey The woolen brim is pilling; the stitching’s worn away Some would call it shabby and throw it in the trash But that hat holds memories of my childhood past My captain’s hat has been with me through times both good and bad My father bought it years ago, when I was just a lad He only wore it once or twice, while boating in the spring It came to me still fresh and new, I’ve worn it ever since
2. Searching for Rodriguez
(Lowe/Lightly)
Searching for Rodriguez on a hot and dreamy day Moving on with map in hand, diverted on my way Steps wind up the towering hills, then tumble down again Hidden streets in this old town, where will my journey end? The road is long, the hour is late, the sun is going down The clock of life is ticking, but it never makes a sound A sparkling sun, a cloudless sky, there’s magic in the scene Blues are vivid, ochres rich, there’s every shade of green Bougainvillea tumble o’er the walls of old town homes What lies behind those plain front doors, I’d surely love to know On narrow streets of cobblestones, it’s hard to get a grip I pick my way along with care, determined not to slip I wonder if I’ll ever find the place I’m looking for Then suddenly, why there it is, a sunlit, open door A table by the window, a glass of wine in hand A cooling breeze, I take my ease, it’s all just as I planned I’ll stay a while and watch the sun slip down into the sea Night comes drifting up the hill, soft arms held out to me Searching for Rodriguez on a hot and dreamy day Hidden streets in this old town, where will my journey end?
where will my journey end?
3. Film of Gold
(Lowe)
The hills are bathed in a film of gold As the sun goes down the stories are told Of the ashen face, the mechanical smile And the trials of long ago Brown glass strewn on the kitchen floor A glistening eye and a banging door The scream and the running as the wind sweeps in Without a backward glance Now what was said we do not know But the wine flows free and the barriers grow The shouting starts and the silence builds To avoid another row The shuffle of the feet and the stumbling round the yard Things once were good, but the love is hard The turning away when the times get rough No chance to reconcile Two eyes staring through the banister rail The fear and the hate and the biting of the nails The frozen mirror and the sinking heart And the panic of the running away Through the drafty room comes the warmth of calm A new beginning and a smile of charm The kitchen bathed in the light of a home Where peace and love can grow All of this was a long time ago The wounds are healed but the scars still show The pain returns when the room is dark And it’s hard to be alone
4. Sunshine & Sweet Serenade (Lowe/Lightly)
Why am I always so busy? So much paperwork’s a misery Paying bills and answering emails, I could use a break My true love is also working, cleaning cupboards dark and murky Seems a break’s a hopeless dream then she looks up at me She says, “Give me some sunshine and sweet serenade Pull that old chair right out of the shade Heat up the pot make some strong ginger tea (blueberry tea) Haul out that guitar, come sit next to me” For my Royal Command Performance, sing me songs of love & romance Pick a tune with dancing rhythms, make my heartbeat race Kiss my lips and say you love me, wrap those eager arms around me Hold me tight, step out so lightly, dance around the room As the days pass ever faster, full of life and full of laughter Let’s relax, kick off our shoes and celebrate the day Then when it grows dark and colder, and we see we’re growing older Memories of sun and singing fill our hearts with warmth
6. Stumbling Blindly 5. Evening in the Tropics
(Lowe)
Fireflies on the ceiling, sparkling like stars Cicadas in the distance, like skilsaws buzzing hard The symphony of frogs adds to the rhythm of the rain It’s evening in the tropics once again The power went out this morning, so everything is calm No radios or TVs to break the peaceful charm The lizards and the geckos are scampering up the walls It’s evening in the Tropics once again The sounds of children playing are wafting on the breeze The running and the laughter, the rustle of the leaves The tokay calls across the fields to tell if love is true It’s evening in the Tropics once again The news is full of fighting, poverty and vice So why are we the lucky ones so close to paradise? We raise a glass of Singha and breathe the fresh, clean air It’s evening in the Tropics once again
(Lowe/Lightly)
The slush has frozen solid, slip and slide and down I go The thaw and freeze has formed a slick of ice that once was snow This blast of air it drives the cold and cuts right to my skin The numbness in my fingers and a frozen heart within Stumbling blindly, tears of ice around my eyes Slipping and sliding, as I think of your goodbye Stumbling blindly, tears of ice around my eyes Slipping and sliding, as I think of your goodbye A flake of snow has landed like a kiss upon my cheek A cynical reminder of that day I couldn’t speak You turned around to tell me that your love for me had died Hard years had left hard memories frozen up inside BRIDGE Oh no, do you have to go? Oh no, goodbye Oh no, I will miss you so. Oh no, goodbye There’s a tavern on the corner where people dance and sing Through the frosted windows I can hear their laughter ring But I slip by un-noticed, alone and out of sight A solitary shadow drifting through a winter’s night
the tokay calls across the
7. Song for Mary
(Lowe)
The brittle scent of autumn swirls through rustling leaves Restless wind spirals through branches of trees Liquid thoughts of summer love shimmer in my mind And warm my heart with memories so precious and sublime Oh love can be a fickle thing, so flickering and bright And love can be a vision, like a star in the night And love can color everything in a rainbow of hues Forever they are deepening in the twilight of years That summer on the gentle beach, the music and song Sun shone down upon us, a circle in the throng The bonding of our friendship brought magic to the scene And the overflow of passion made reality from dreams BRIDGE The sun will rise, the sun will set, there’s memories we’ll ne’er forget The changes come, the changes go, but love will see us through Winter is upon us; the snow crisp and clean Any disappointments lie deep and unseen The warmth of love keeps building, the kiss upon my brow The thorns of life are blunted in the comfort of the now Photo by Wynn Gogol
fields to tell if love is true
9. William Loved His Horses
(Lowe)
Actors in the landau, heading for the Strand One foot on the coachman’s step, reins firm in his hand He pulls himself up on the seat and whistles up a march The horses they prick up their ears and trot from Finsbury Park Yes, William loved his horses; they shone black as the coal The tack was oiled and polished; it warmed his heart and soul He’d crack the whip to pick up speed while trotting down the Strand “But a man who hits a horse,” he said, “just doesn’t understand” “Yes, a man who hits a horse,” he said, “doesn’t understand” Horses harnessed in the dark off Seven Sisters Road He’d head for Covent Garden to get his daily load The market buzzed with commerce, sharp bargains struck with calm Best prices for best produce to carry in his van But the new combustion engine brought changes in its wake Lorries in the high street, what a din they make Why would you hire a dirty, smelly taxi with its smoke? Ride in my horse-drawn landau, you’re sophisticated folk BRIDGE: He bought horses from the army and they’d break into step When he whistled up a marching tune, so strong, so proud, so svelte Profits tumbled; times were tough, he put on quite a show For he loved his brave, strong horses and would not let them go In Burma and South Africa he’d made those horses shine While fighting for the empire with dreams of better times
they fly, following the sun
10. Royal Terns
(Lowe)
The royal terns slice through the sky, vectors forming way up high Flapping resting as they fly, following the sun And then on mass they dive and climb Break the crest of a wave with a glint and a shine Peeling off amidst the spray, playing with the air A vision in the skyways and shadows on the waves The cycles of nature, the wonder of it all, the wonder of it all Silver wings that catch the light, black and silver, black and white Flying north to Spanish shores, to mate and raise their young When summer cools they’ll head back south To the Saloum Delta and the river’s mouth A second home, a place to rest, escape from northern winters BRIDGE Lying on the beach one day, resting on the sand Watching the migrating birds that don’t have time to land The royal terns slice through the sky, vectors forming way up high Flapping resting as they fly, following the sun And then on mass they dive and climb Break the crest of a wave with a glint and a shine Peeling off amidst the spray, playing with the air
11. Ernest in Dublin 1921
(Lowe/Lightly)
It was the middle of a war zone in 1921 He was a policeman in the army, in uniform again Dublin was divided; the Brits and the IRA But there was a pause in fighting on that cold and dreary day As the light was fading he patrolled the streets alone Looking out for troubled soldiers, in those pubs away from home He’d made money as a boxer after The Great War But his fists they were not needed on that day A little girl was out that night; no more than eight or nine Ernest stopped to talk to her, make sure that she was fine She was sobbing quietly, so scared and very cold Lost and confused she wished that she had done as she was told He wrapped his coat around her and said she’d be O.K. Could she think of names of churches or pubs along her way? She started to remember and she started to calm down I’ll walk you home, he said, and then she smiled
but there was a pause in the figh They walked those dark streets hand in hand, chatting as they walked He never gave a thought to his own safety as they talked He was in a part of town he’d never been before They reached her home and lifted the brass knocker on the door Her Dad was thrilled to see his girl, safe and sound that night Mom broke down in tears as she hugged her daughter tight They asked him in and sat him down, gave him a cup of tea They were a warm and grateful family
As Ernest left the house that night, he knew he’d done things right Her dad said that the boyos would guide him through the night He thanked the men and left them when his barracks came in view They made their warm farewells and then withdrew His unit was astonished to see him safe and sound Step by step his boots had trod the IRA’s own ground No doubt guns were trained on him as he walked down those streets But with the girl beside him he was safe REPEAT verse one: lines 1-4.
12. Reaching for the Delta
(Lowe/Lightly)
River roll on, wild and free Carving out valleys on your way to the sea Gathering strength, the longer you flow Reaching for the delta as you’re starting to slow Mountain high, a bubbling spring Source of life, a living thing Trickling down, starting to play Gazing around and finding its way Dripping through limestone underground Forming caves with jewels all round Where is it going? None can tell Oozing mud on a windswept fell
hting on that cold and dreary day BRIDGE Rippling, eddying, singing and murmuring Dancing on pebbles and gliding along Rippling, eddying, singing and murmuring Dancing on pebbles and gliding along
Leaping through canyons framed by trees Battering rocks and breaking free Water falls, spray flies high Sunlight glints, diamonds in the sky Carrying silt, forming land Fertile soil, fields expand Curving through that valley wide Deep and strong, embracing the tide
13. November Song
(Lowe/Lightly)
Light comes filtering through the branches, flickering on the forest floor Feel the breeze; it briskly dances, with the leaves of fall Fading sylphs they lift and tumble, yellow, red and green and brown Nature’s palette never humbled, beauty lost and found Salmon struggle up the river, leaping up as waters fall Heading home with tails a-quiver, follow nature’s call They have swum from far horizons, tired and ragged, bruised and torn Laying eggs and fertilizing, new life will be born Sun lies low in pale, clear skies now, fills the day with winter light Dark comes early, swiftly, surely, long and quiet nights Wisps of thoughts they rise and tumble, memories of the ones we’ve lost More to come, and so we’re humbled, new life has its cost BRIDGE Life is falling, life is rising, dawn breaks after night Hear a newborn baby crying, reaching for the light Light comes filtering through the branches, flickering on the forest floor Feel the breeze; it briskly dances, with the leaves of fall Fading sylphs they lift and tumble, yellow, red and green and brown Nature’s palette never humbled, beauty lost and found
(Lowe)
Dreaming of the ones I love far across the sea I’ll be home whene’er I can when the ocean sets me free When the ocean sets me free Becalmed in the doldrums, waiting for a breeze Tiny ripples dancing across the glassy seas This breath of air could be a start or just a teasing thing Eddies forming gently like birds upon the wing Eyes glued on the ocean, hope beats in my heart A roughening of the surface, is this really a start? Nourished by the playful breeze, a trough formed by a crest Waves grow in size and multiply, no longer calm at rest The wind picks up more steadily, the sails they leap with joy Gusts are having so much fun playing with their toy Waves go tumbling to and fro, bouncing back and forth They start to flex their muscles and grow into a force The boom is swinging over, sails begin to fill Wind is gusting mightily, bending to its will Plumes of foam like lips upon the whitecaps as they form The ship sails off with much relief, relishing a storm Like a wall of green glass topped with snow, the waves rush as they rise White horses race across the sea running for the prize Sails are reefed, the crew tied on, the hatches battened down The spilling, plunging, surging sea, the fear of being drowned The ship is battered by the waves, driven by the storm Waves crash on the foredeck, rails twisting and deformed Walls of water crashing down, the ship it rolls and dives From calm to storm like a wrecking ball, how can we all survive?
white horses race across the sea
14. Becalmed in the Doldrums
15. Red Fish, Blue Fish
(Lowe)
Red fish, blue fish, swimming in the sea Striped fish, spotted fish, swimming next to me The water is soft and clear and warm There’s a gentle breeze, no sign of a storm Floating where the fishes play all the livelong day The coral reef is a wondrous place Shoals of fish at a leisurely pace Through the fronds and leaves of stone All the livelong day The ripples on the sea make patterns on the rocks Moving, changing they never stop Sun beams down its shafts of light All the livelong day BRIDGE It seems like a perfect life below Take it easy, take it slow But don’t become a predator’s prey All the livelong day Some fish turn and disappear Crabs scuttle by and show no fear Beneath the waves in a tropical bay All the livelong day
All songs SOCAN written by David Lowe with Mary Lightly 1,2,4,6,11,12,13 Contact: dlchamberfolk@gmail.com Photos by David Lowe.