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Old Things

from sound poems by Alula Down

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about

Based on the opening three piano chords of The Lark Ascending by Ralph Vaughan Williams, arranged for piano and performed by Olivia Dance.

.. working with the stillness and space in the three chord piano pattern, weaving this with fragments of song and spoken word to convey the process of disconnection and loneliness that can accompany aging, and in a broader context the sense of loss experienced in our relationship with the world around us.

lyrics

TRANSCRIPTION:
“Why tell them all the old things - they’re buried under the snow”
“ … why cant I?”
Are you ok?
Are you alright there?
Its very interesting over the years - perhaps 25 years, which go very very quickly …
…. its very difficult to do nothing now...
There was always somebody who after a few jars would sally forth with a few songs and stuff …
… and lots of other people joining in
… which is pretty much what it's all about.
“… the old things…”
And lots of other people joining in
… which is pretty much what it's all about.
Are you alright there?
And what was so noticeable …
With a few songs and stuff ..
… the silence
Do you still dance at all?
… absolute silence
You were very good at one time
And lots of other people joining in
… no birds
Which is pretty much what it's all about
… no nothing
Are you ok?
The silence
Its very difficult to do nothing now
No nothing…
Absolute silence
Are you ok?
Are you ok?
Are you ok?
And lots of other people were joining in …
… which is pretty much what it's all about
Its very difficult to do nothing now
Do you still dance at all?
You were very good at one time
You were very good at one time
Do you still dance at all?
And what was so noticeable …
… the silence
Are you ok?
… absolute silence
No birds
No birds
Are you alright there?
No birds
No nothing
Are you ok?
Are you ok?
Are you alright there?

credits

from sound poems, released February 2, 2024
St Briavels Music Memory Cafe, 18.01.23:
Olivia Dance (keyboard)
Peter and the community singing
Recordings from conversations:
Mary - “Its very difficult to do nothing now …” (describing the very full life she had led running community projects).
Bill - “... sally forth with a song or two…” (the experience of spontaneous singing happening in pubs in the 1960s & 70s).
Ron - “... and the most noticeable thing was the silence…” (an experience from mountain climbing in his youth)
Alastair - “Do you still dance..? (a conversation around the table)
With voices of MMC cafe volunteers, including Alice Hogge, greeting and supporting those attending - and background sounds of the cafe and community.

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Alula Down Hereford, UK

mark waters & kate gathercole

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