This song was written during a period when my daughter was unwell, and it was unclear if she would pull through. However I have found that it speaks to many different people in their own experience of loss, grief, and hope.
lyrics
Lyrics
I had a little bird, and a pretty bird was she,
She sang at my window the sweetest melody,
She sang at my window in the springtime of the year
Singing willow, sing all a green willow.
I had a little bird, she was the joy of all my heart,
Sweetly she sang to me that soon we must part.
Sweetly she sang as the summer days ran by
Singing willow, sing all a green willow.
Now the short day is dying and my pretty bird must fl y
That sang at my window as the summer days ran by
That sang at my window, that sang in my heart,
Singing willow, sing all a green willow.
Through all the bitter winter I laid upon my bed
Grieving full sore that my pretty bird was dead,
Grieving full sore that no more I would her see,
Singing willow, sing all a green willow.
Now the new leaves are springing and the fields they do grow green,
Once more at my window my pretty bird is seen,
And if she do sing to me then I will not more grieve,
Or sing willow, sing all a green willow.
Wbsite: www.ruthcooke.com
Ruth has been writing and performing songs for many years now but has mostly been
too busy living to record anything!
She is mostly to be found at folk clubs and festivals or at small gatherings and round campfires - although she wouldn’t say no to a small stadium!
She loves singarounds wherever they may be and is a regular floor singer at Lewes Saturday Folk Club....more
Tompkins Square present a nine-track intro to the gorgeous American Primitive stylings of Wall Matthews—soothing, rustic, and peaceful. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 25, 2020