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Madam Fi Fi's farewell

from Shore Crab by Neil Thomson and Gerry Cambridge

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about

Music by Neil thomson set to the poem
Madam Fi Fi's farewell written by Gerry Cambridge.

"madam Fi Fi regrets to announce due to lack of public demand she will shut her doors on Saturday." Newspaper advertisement.

lyrics

MADAMe FI FI’S FAREWELL

Rattle down the shutters, cast away the key,
Relinquish the rivers at last to the sea,
Old Jock of Lochranza,
Taut as a stanza,
Can come no more for me.

My eager sole visitor was planted this week,
Six decades beyond his potency’s peak;
He was the salty, last
Proof of my glorious past;
From here, the sea looks bleak.

It’s out with the pension, no more red heels
To clack down the pier among wet nets and creels;
I can’t turn a head
( When they are all dead )
From the sea’s late purples and steels.

Hang up my whip, my scents, the tools of my trade,
That kept the fish-scaled men unstaid;
From the tedium of wintered lives,
Beyond the scowls of island wives,
Released them, glad-afraid.

Young men of Lamlash, Blackwaterfoot, Corrie,
Be you built like a rabbit, a shark, or a lorry,
It’s off with this make-up
That let your dads wake up,
And I am sorry.

credits

from Shore Crab, released August 24, 2016

license

all rights reserved

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about

Neil Thomson Crieff, UK

Neil's writing is mainly but not solely inspired by his native Scotland. It's roots, people, tradition and natural environment
provide inspiration for creating music in his own relaxed, gentle style.

He enjoys setting his music to traditional poems sung in Old Scots and in particular the poetry of Gerry Cambridge.
... more

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