There Was an Old Man

from Liminal Paths by JoAnna Farrer

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about

I composed this song while in Spain in 2010, after spending time at the Crisol de Cuerda fiddle camp, with Natalie Haas and Alasdair Fraser. The lyrics and melody came to me in one go, and I'm so grateful that this recording came out almost exactly as I first heard the song in my head that night, in my hotel room in Madrid many years ago. I'm thankful to whatever Spirits inspired the composition, and to my dear friends for recording it with me.

The tune played at the end of the track is one I wrote called "The Shapeshifter."

lyrics

"There Was An Old Man"
by JoAnna Farrer

There was an old man
I met in the Glen
Ohlio - I never saw him again

His form it was strange
his eyes they were white
Ohlio - How I wish I'd not the Sight

There was an old man
I met in the Glen
Ohlio - I never saw him again

He told me my fortune
by leaves that had blown
Ohlio - How I wish I'd never known

He told me I'd weep
He told me I'd moan
He told me I'd die in the Glen all alone.

There was an old man
I met in the Glen
Ohlio - I never saw him again

I said "You old fool,
I'm to marry today,
Ohlio - All in the blessings of May"

He took out a ring
from his shimmering cloak
Ohlio - Oh twas the ring of my love!

There was an old man
I met in the Glen
Ohlio - I never saw him again

He told me he'd slept
on a Hollow high hill
Ohlio - oh how the winds were all still

A maid had come out
and taken him down
and he had dreamed hundreds of years in a day

There was a strange man
I met in the May
He told me with Them
he now had to stay....

So,

There was an old man
I met in the Glen
Ohlio - I'll never see him again

Oh how I have wept
and how I have moaned
and now I will die
in the Glen
all a-lone

credits

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

JoAnna Farrer, violin and vocals
Natalie Haas, cello
Elana Low, harmonium

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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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