Eventually I'm going to make a full arrangement of this song with more instruments, but here is a version with just voice and viola, which will live in the Sketchbook of Ephemera for now.
Equisetum or Horsetail (also commonly but incorrectly called mare's tail, including by me until recently, but it turns out that's actually a different plant entirely) is the only surviving genus of a family of plants that dates back hundreds of millions of years. These plants are described as living fossils, terrible invasive weeds, or a useful source of materials for organic fungicide, depending on who you ask. I've got a patch of them in my garden and I'm quite happy for them to live there.
The song is about extinction, collapse, love, friendship, and resilience, all mixed together and at the same time.
lyrics
Away from the floodlight and over the line
We saw it all, tenderly, but far more bright and raw this time
And once again, we must end where we begin
And once again, we will be continuing
In this same valley in a million years
Two other aching creatures will see the horsetail growing here
In a yet unspoken language they will say
‘That’s the one that used to grow in dinosaur days’
And horsetail won’t be its name any more
And this time we will be the dinosaurs
And they will wrap themselves around each other so tight
In heavy wanting, in protection from the changing of the light
And a part of each of them will hold strong
And a part of each of them will breathe long
And still a part of each of them will be shaking
As the quiet air around them keeps folding and quaking
Away from the floodlight and over the line
We saw it all, tenderly, but far more bright and raw this time
And once again, we must end where we begin
And once again, we will be continuing
And a part of each of us might be shaking
As the quiet air around us keeps folding and quaking
And still a part of each of us might be shaking
As the quiet air around us keeps folding and quaking
credits
from Sketchbook,
released December 18, 2012
Helen Bell: voice, viola
This album is the perfect blend of 80's-inspired Pop and Synthwave, with epic soaring melodies layered with passionate lyrics that are deftly expressed with powerhouse vocals. Favorite tracks are Hinterlands and Live Wire. I wish Blue Nagoon's voice was featured more on the album, to balance out the more female-led songs. His voice is the perfect timbre for this style of music. But regardless, I can't stop listening to it! KydiaMusic
The latest from UK artist MF Tomlinson sets sharp lyrics amidst a backdrop of acoustic guitar, lush keys, and soft percussion. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 12, 2021