song to a king

by Sam Shackleton

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about

Early in 2020 I went exploring in Scotland, trying to trace the steps of my personal hero, Alan Lomax. My own trip was much briefer, but we managed to make contact with some truly incredible songwriters and traditionalists. One of them was Sam, or Sorley if you prefer the Gaelic language name. Located in the Scottish capital of Edinburgh, Sam opened his home and heart wide to our small crew. He was more than eager to show us the city he calls home, tell us about Scottish history and take us on an unofficial pub crawl, drinking me under the table in the process. This is a beautiful original of his own, played in his living room, where we enjoyed an early morning sampling of local whiskey.

I hope to go back to Scotland one day to further investigate the long history of folk songs, with Sam, who invited us to return anytime. I also think a cross-Atlantic exchange would be incredible, so don't be surprised if you find Sam and me trekking across the Appalachian mountains in search of the Scottish ballads that landed here all those years ago.

lyrics

A stary crown lays, softly broken
Near the branch of a silver dream
As my soul sings, sweetly stranded
In the hold of your embrace

Where have you gone my king, will you come back soon
With your hands held in the air?
Will you dance and sing as the sun will bring
A new dawn here once more?

A purple dove flies, soaring swiftly
Up above this lonesome place
A golden river whispers gently
Softly down and away from here

Where have you gone my king, will you come back soon
With your hands held in the air?
Will you dance and sing as the sun will bring
A new dawn here once more?

In the desert I see a ribbon
Tied so loosely from a tree
There's a grave there, it's reading sadly
That the king is buried here

Where have you gone my king, will you come back soon
With your hands held in the air?
Will you dance and sing as the sun will bring
A new dawn here once more?

credits

released November 12, 2020
Recorded by Anthony Simpkins

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about

Sam Shackleton Edinburgh, UK

I went to Edinburgh, Scotland and met with the young Scottish-scholar-in-the-making, Sam Shackleton, in 2019. There we recorded a number of songs, in his flat and on the streets of his city. More to come in the future, no doubt.

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