The Flying Song

from Liminal Paths by JoAnna Farrer

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about

I wrote this song a few years ago, inspired by stories of shapeshifting chases like those between Cerridwen and Gwion (later Taliesin) and in countless fairytales of more recent times. (In Child Ballad #44, The Twa Magicians, a chase occurs where the pursued endlessly takes on forms in an effort to shake off the pursuer, and the pursuer answers by shapeshifting: A dove is answered with a hawk, a hare with a greyhound, etc. The cycle of reincarnation is its own form of "shapeshifting," as are the cycles of time and Nature around us.

lyrics

The Flying Song
by JoAnna Farrer

Oh I'll go as the wren in Spring
I'll follow as the fair
you'll not know me in sparrow's wing
but you'll know when I'm there!

Oh I'll go as the otter gay
I'll follow you to sea
you'll not find me in Summer sun
but you'll know when I'm there!

[CHORUS]
The cat's paw and the lion's claw
the fed and fattened hen.
The Lady's Glove, the God Above
till I fly home again.

Oh I'll go as the baying hound
I'll follow as the Fall
I'll hunt you through the risen corn
and you'll know when I'm there!

Oh I'll go as the Winter owl
I'll follow as the frost
I'll close your eyes with feather white
and you'll know when I'm there!

[CHORUS]

Then we'll run swift as greyhounds
we'll chase the Raven round!
the Lady's Glove, the God Above
till we fly home again.

[CHORUS]

credits

from Liminal Paths, released November 5, 2021
Music and Lyrics by JoAnna Farrer

JoAnna Farrer, violin and vocals
Natalie Haas, cello
Yann Falquet, guitar
Andy Lamy, tin whistle

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about

JoAnna Farrer Vermont

JoAnna’s eclectic musical style encompasses traditional Scottish and Irish music, as well as the Classical music she has performed professionally since age 7. JoAnna’s debut album, 'Liminal Paths' (Nov 2021) features cellist Natalie Haas and guitarist Yann Falquet.

A Juilliard graduate and current member of the NJ Symphony Orchestra, JoAnna has performed and recorded around the world. ... more

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