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Jackdaws Rising

from Walking Into White by Sarah McQuaid

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about

On a rare night off during one of my UK tours, Martin and I were staying with our great friends Pete Coleman and Clare Hines in Stroud, Gloucestershire. We sat down to play a few tunes together, Pete on pipes and whistles and Clare on hurdy-gurdy, and the two of them launched into a tune they’d written called ‘13 Moons’, which also happens to be the title track of a superb album they made with their band Brocc. Recognising the tune from the album, I started playing along with it on my guitar. When we’d finished, Pete said “You know, if you felt like writing some words and a vocal melody to go with that tune, we wouldn’t object.” No further encouragement was needed! The song decided that it wanted to be a three-part round, so I’m very grateful to Adele Schulz and Martin Stansbury for singing the second and third parts. Also hugely grateful to Adam, who (along with so many other great things he brought to this album) had the clever idea of adding 5/4 percussion to a 4/4 tune. I’m a little daunted at the idea of trying to replicate the whole thing live in concert, complete with polyrhythm, but I’m determined to give it my best shot ....

lyrics

Jackdaws rising
All together
Glinting eyes
And jet black feathers

Rough cries
Calling
Muster
For the dark is falling

Wind among the trees
Rustling of the leaves
Scudding clouds
And stars appearing

Startled by the flapping
Of a bat wing just above her
A rabbit dives beneath a shrub
And trembles under cover 

Light starts to fade
Night calls the shades
Of others
Who have gone before us

Hark to them
Welcome them
Draw breath
And join the chorus

credits

from Walking Into White, released February 2, 2015
Sarah McQuaid, Pete Coleman and Clare Hines

Sarah – Vocals & Guitar, Stomps & Handclaps
Adele Schulz – Vocals
Martin Stansbury – Vocals, Stomps & Handclaps
Adam Pierce – Stomps & Handclaps
Jeremy Backofen – Stomps & Handclaps

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Sarah McQuaid Penzance, UK

“One of the most instantly recognisable voices in current music … Shades of Joni Mitchell in a jam with Karen Carpenter and Lana Del Rey.” —Neil March, Trust The Doc

“Captivating, unorthodox songwriting … layered satin vocals ... enthralling, harrowing arrangements … a gateway into a true innovator’s soul.” —PopMatters

See sarahmcquaid.com/about for more info. ... more

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