Music
I wrote this for my darling dynamic, beautiful, hilarious friend Sarah Pugh just before she died, far too young, in October 2022 leaving a trail of broken hearts, but also a legacy of awesome permaculture students and eco projects, all hugely influenced by her very unique and marvellous way of teaching and being in the world. She is deeply missed by her dear family and hundreds of her beloved friends.
I've been so touched how many people have found solace in this song. I hope it lands gently in the ears of anyone coping with grief, loss, end of life, and all the deeply challenging parts of death that our dear hearts have to navigate.
It is now on all streaming platforms, but thank you so much if you purchase it here, any support for my artistic creation is hugely appreciated.
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Samhradh Samhradh is an Irish Gaelic Bealtaine/Beltane song that's around 300-400 years old - the exact date and origin is vague, but Edward Bunting—a 19th century music collector—said this song “is probably extremely ancient” and was sung in the Dublin area around 1633. I learnt this version from singer/songwriter Peia. There are many different versions and variations, but they all share a similar theme of welcoming in the summer. This one is just a simple acapella.
It is said that young women and young men sang it on May-eve while they carried around the ‘May Baby' or 'May Doll’ (Bábóg na Bealtaine) from house to house. It is a celebration of nature and the blossoming fertile summer, of carrying summer branches, usually the May tree or hawthorn, though the blackthorn and holly, hazel and rowan tree are mentioned across the different versions of the song.
Beltane is the Gaelic spring festival traditionally celebrated on 1st May. For me it is a time of hope and resiliance, as we celebrate the joy and coming abundance of summer. That’s what this song means to me, it’s full of joy and relief that spring is fully here, of optimism and full-heartedness, and a blessing to the land.
Any Irish Gaelic speakers, please excuse any pronunciation errors - get in touch and correct me! I’m still learning and I'm always happy to discuss lineage and linguistics.
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On the 20th December 2014, washed out and exhausted by the years farm work, I was treated to a day in a spa. I had held so much, spun so many plates, as we all do... I drove home feeling rested at last, with some semblance of the possibility of renewal. On the journey home this song came through the dark and mist.
The plates kept on spinning and it took 2 years to find time to record it, (and another 7 to add the finishing touches!)
We are all so busy. Our many plates continuously spin. But we can take time to walk away, to breath, to watch the clouds passing, to listen attentively to a child, to call friend. The plates do not all come crashing down. Well not all of them anyway.
Wishing you all a very peaceful restfull time this midwinter. Whatever space you can get to connect with yourself, may you revel in it and come out ready for all that is to come.