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The Clyde

from Common Ground by Neil Thomson

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about

The words highlighted in green are the musings of Glaswegian Poet Hugh MacDonald taken from his book Rambles Round Glasgow, first published around 1854. Living during the industrial revolution, Hugh comments
on the detrimental effects of industrialisation on the
natural beauty of the river Clyde.

I had finished the music for a song about the plight of
the river Clyde but couldn’t finish the words. By
coincidence I came across the writings of Hugh MacDonald and was duly inspired.

lyrics

THE CLYDE words: macdonald / thomson music: thomson

HANDS SWEETER THAN RAIN
COME AND EASE MY PAIN

FROM CARMICHAEL I AM BORN
TO THE WEIR I FALL UPON
FROM THE SPRING TO THE SEA
I TWIST AND TURN TO BE FREE

BUT WORKING ENGINES HAVE HARNESSED ME
FURNACE BREATH BLOWS STANK AND FOUL
THUNDER ROAR WITH SPARK AND FLAME
CHOCKING ME, HURTING ME, POLLUTING ME

IS THIS IMPROVEMENT? TO HAVE CHANGED
MY BANKS LIE LEAFLESS AND SORE
TOIL GROWS CHEAPER, THAN TRODDEN WEED
SO TAKE MY BLOOD AND USE IT WELL

WITH SOOTY EXHALATIONS DOWN MY STREAM
I GIVE BIRTH TO IRON SHIPS
BRICK LANES SMOKE
AND CLANKING ENGINES GLEAM
POISON ME, USING ME, CHOCKING ME

ALL MY CHILDREN DON’T KNOW BETTER
DON’T HAVE MUCH HAVE NOT BEEN TAUGHT
LEFT IN TOWERS BORN IN SCHEMES
IN THE GUTTERS FLOW BROKEN DREAMS

SPEAK NOT TO ME OF SWARMS
THIS SCENE SUSTAINS
ONE HEART FREE TASTING
NATURE’S BREATH AND BLOOM
IS WORTH A THOUSAND SLAVES
TO MAMMONS GAINS
CLEANING ME, FREEING ME, HEALING ME

credits

from Common Ground, released May 3, 2016

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all rights reserved

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about

Neil Thomson image

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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