As luck would have it I've not long past been sent a link to the poem to which Dave says that New Years Greetings
"owes a massive debt": The Widower In The Country by Les Murray.
I can see there's a common theme, but try as I might I can't sing the poem along with the tune. I can just about make the first line square peg into the hole, but lose my way soon after.
Since the opportunity presents itself, you might like to have a go:
Les Murray 'Widower In The Country'
I'll get up soon, and leave my bed unmade.
I'll go outside and split off kindling wood,
From the yellow-box log that lies beside the gate,
And the sun will be high, for I get up late now.
I'll drive my axe in the log and come back in
With my armful of wood, and pause to look across
The Christmas paddocks aching in the heat,
The windless trees, the nettles in the yard...
And then I'll go in, boil water and make tea.
This afternoon, I'll stand out on the hill
And watch my house away below, and how
The roof reflects the sun and makes my eyes
Water and close on bright webbed visions smeared
On the dark of my thoughts to dance and fade away,
Then the sun will move on, and I will simply watch,
Or work, or sleep. And evening will draw in.
Coming on dark, I'll go home, light the lamp
And eat my corned-beef supper, sitting there
At the head of the table. Then I'll go to bed.
Last night I thought I dreamt - but when I woke
The screaming was only a possum skiing down
The iron roof on little moonlit claws.
Thanks for the instrumental version, glee. It's good to hear the interraction between the two acoustic guitars more clearly and the intricacies of the bass part etc. Nice and breezy with the door ajar on a rare hot summer's day here....
Author