My Mother's Country

Background to the songs

Faced with the dilema of writing pieces of music about monuments as old as civilisation itself, I soon realised that there was nothing new that I could add to their meanings and history. I decided instead to capture a moment in time, and to create fictitious characters and view the monuments through their eyes at various moments in time.

Gavin O'Loghlen

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Koyt Tredhewi - (Trethevy Quoit, Cornwall.)

a slow and beautiful song sung in Cornish with whistles, harp, rich harmonies and huge keyboard sounds.

Koyt Tredhewi comes from the Cornish language meaning David's Settlement. It is a burial tomb dating from neolithic times. Who it buried is still a mystery, although during this period of history the relationship of the Earth, the night and death were closely intertwined. The song is sung in the Cornish language.

Golow dres an nos mernans rag mynysenn verr

tanyow war'n brenn an taran an tabour

Geryow a hanas kepar ha mog adro tan myttin

towlow parys ynta rag an vyaj dhe dhos

Bedhow a with an eskern a syns an bywnans a dhifres an golow

meyn kepar ha lagasow an marow a vir dres an nos

 

Gans faglennow yn dorn proseshyon tanek ha rudh

hynsyow dres koeswith ha qwern troesya a wrussyn

Res erbynn termyn kepar ha bywnans gyllys mar skon ynkleudh an marow

kyns kynsa golowyns an howl

 

Meyn hir ha gorherys a with an bedh a sel an golow

enter yn nor an morow wolkomm an nos

 

English Translation

A call in the night a moment's mortality

fires on the hill and the thunder of drums.

Whispering words swirl like smoke around morning fires

plans well prepared for the journey to come.

Graves guard the bones, hold the life, shield the light

stones, like the eyes of the dead, watch through the night.

 

With torches in hand a fiery processional

pathways through forest and marshes we trudged.

A race against time, like life, all so quickly gone

bury the dead before first rays of light.

Stones tall and capped, guard the grave, seal the light

enter the world of the dead, welcome the night.

 

Gavin O'Loghlen : Electric guitars, drums, bass, percussion, keyboards, F whistle, vocals

Angelee Theodoros : Lead vocals

Liesl Warner : Harp

Music and words written by Gavin O'Loghlen Cornish translations by Lillian James

 

 

Housesteads - Hadrian's Wall, Northumbria

a majestic piece with English vocals, rich keyboards, whistles and fiddles climaxing in massed Highland pipes and drums.

Housesteads was a Roman fort on Hadrian's Wall. It was manned by young soldiers from western Europe. In 382 AD the Picts staged a major uprising. This song is written at that time through the eyes of one young soldier.

Shadows creep like wanton children stalk the lantern on the wall

here alone I wait at midnight hear the footsteps, hear the calls

as the conquered roam amongst the shadows

through the trees and countryside while the legions huddle

locked in mileposts, trying best to hide.

 

Four years since I joined the legion marched a thousand miles or more

scaled the mountains, sailed the oceans

watched the lions on distant shores

from the farmyards of a Frisian forest

now with Thracians, Pans and Gauls

here we stand forever, backs together

lost on Hadrian's Wall.

 

Shrouded in mists of midnight,Pictish nations heed the call

conquerers locked in mileposts - Pans and Goths and Gauls

wrapped in our cloaks of conquest here at Housesteads on the Wall

pipes of the Caledonias prophesy our fall - evermore.

 

Campfires flicker 'neath the ridgeline like a universe of stars

sharpened steel and bow string nerves rehearse the carnage, death and scars

I'm a Frisian boy on German duty for Roman rule on British soil

I'm a simple pawn in a mass deception in someone else's war.

 

Shrouded in mists of midnight, Pictish nations heed the call

conquerers locked in mileposts - Pans and Goths and Gauls

wrapped in our cloaks of conquest here at Housesteads on the Wall

pipes of the Caledonias prophesy our fall - evermore.

Gavin O'Loghlen : Acoustic and electric guitars, drums, bass, percussion, bodhran,keyboards, kalimba, vocals, F whistle, bagpipes

Stephanie Graeber : Violin Daniel Seymour : Military snare Anne Dormer : Vocals

Angelee Theodoros : Lead vocals

Music and words written by Gavin O'Loghlen

 

 

Mont Sen Mighal - (St. Michael's Mount, Cornwall)

a gentle tune with whistles, uilleann pipes, string quartet and lush vocals sung in Cornish.

Legend has it that in 495 AD fishermen at sea, saw St Michael on the island,

which later became a medieval shrine. This song is performed in Cornish.

 

Blydhen peswar naw pymp

seyth marner gesys yn bew

moryow serrys hag ebrenn dhuhes

ha'n arvor re bell aves

rag aga sawya

 

Bysyes yeyn a skravin an ayr

goelyow regyes ewyn du desper

war legh ni a'n gwel ena

gans ankov du yn golok

ev a'gan gelow tre

 

English Translation

A. D. four ninety five

seven sailors left alive

raging seas and blackened skies

and the coast too far away

to save them.

 

Cold fingers claw the air

torn sails, black foam, despair

on a ledge we see him there

with oblivion in sight

he calls us home.

Gavin O'Loghlen : Acoustic guitars, drums, bass, percussion, keyboards, D whistle, vocals

Angelee Theodoros : Lead vocals, cello

Jack Brennan : Uilleann pipes

Stephanie Graeber : Violin Suzannah Graeber : Violin

Music and words written by Gavin O'Loghlen Cornish translations by Lillian James

 

Cerne Abbas, Dorset

a catchy reel for guitars, fiddles, whistle, Uilleann and Highland pipes.

Cerne Abbas was a fertility site believed to have been cut in the second century AD. Whether it was made by giants, monks or Romans is unknown.

As far as we can gather, this is only the third time a duet for Uilleann and Highland pipes has appeared on CD.

 

Gavin O'Loghlen : Acoustic and electric guitars, drums, bass, percussion, bodhran, keyboards, D whistle, Highland pipes

Jack Brennan : Uilleann pipes

Daniel Seymour : Military snare Stephanie Graeber : Violin

Music written by Gavin O'Loghlen

 

Ellen Vannin - (The Isle of Man)

beautiful lyrical English vocals, with a choral finale sung in Manx.

In 1974 the last native Manx speaker died. With a resiliance as great as the island itself, the language has been resurrected and is now spoken and taught. The last stanza is sung in Manx Gaelic.

 

So they came from the North seeking conquests and gold with the mists in their eyes

and we stood on the shore of this magical Isle hundred times our real size

saw the missionaries come from the West gave us God, took the snakes and the toads

Irish Bishoprics took full control 'til the Norsemen from King Orry's Road plundered all.

 

So they came from the East with their tartans and kilts Alexander's pipe band

and soon Magnus had gone and the haggis installed while the English made plans

Aristocracy came from the South and like cards we were dealt to new hands

English Earls, Lords and Dukes took control we were bartered, dismembered and banned

.... we were sold.

 

Fodee'd gaggyrt traie as cashtal

fodee'd geeck da ronney vrann

cha bee nyn greeyn lhieusyn dy bragh

ny'n moyrn ain t'ainyn foastagh.

 

English Translation

They may claim our coasts and castles

they may buy their shares of dreams

but they will never own our hearts

or the pride that dwells within.

Full Manx Version

As haink ad veih'n twoaie shirrey barriaght as airh as'n rough ayns ny sooilyn oc

As hassoo shin er'n traie'n innis falgey shoh lane s'moo na shin.

Honnick shin ny sushtallee cheet veih'n sheear hug Jee dooin, ghow'n aarnieu as'n beayf.

smaghtee aspickyn Yernagh dy chooilley red

derrey ren ny Loghlinee voish raad Ree Orry

craght agglagh.

 

As haink ad veih'n shiar as ny breckanyn oc bann ny piobey Alexander

eisht va Magnus ersooyl as'n haggish ayns shoh choud's ren ny Sosnee croutagh

Haink ooashlaght veih'n jiass as va shin cantit goll rish maase

Linnee eearlaghyn as chiarnyn as diuicyn Sostnagh

va shin coonrit as rheynnit as castit

Va shin creckit.

 

Fodee'd gaggyrt traie as cashtal

fodee'd geeck da ronney vrann

cha bee nyn greeyn lhieusyn dy bragh

ny'n moyrn ain t'ainyn foastagh.

 

Gavin O'Loghlen : Acoustic 6 & 12 string guitars, drums, percussion, bass, bodhran, keyboards, vocals

Angelee Theodoros : Lead vocals Anne Dormer : Vocals Harry Theodoros : Vocals

Manx Translations : David Hathaway

Music and words written by Gavin O'Loghlen

 

Stonehenge, Wiltshire

a powerful song for keyboards, guitars, low and tin whistles and vocals.

 

The enigma of Stonehenge remains today as great a mystery as it must have been for the slaves who hauled the bluestones from the Prescelly Mountains, Wales to Salisbury Plain. This song is written from their viewpoint.

 

Head bowed, the calm before the storm hollowed eyed and bent await the dawn

in my mind I hear the spirits call "all will see".

Come rest my head come soothe my soul my aching bones rest on this cold, wet soil.

The bluestone lies ensnared by rope we slaves entwined chained to a life long yoke.

 

Head bowed, the rope bites into flesh heavy steps, we grind towards our quest

hear the voice, the dark approaching death "all will see".

Prescelly Hills the journey's start the blackness comes choking my throat and heart.

Through season's change through mountain glen

through endless pain and I ask .. for what end?

Gavin O'Loghlen : Acoustic and electric guitars, drums, bass, percussion, bodhran, Nagori & Nagada drums, keyboards, D whistle, low whistle, bagpipes, lead vocals

Anne Dormer : Fretless bass, vocals Angelee Theodoros : Vocals

Music and words written by Gavin O'Loghlen

Tintagel, Cornwall

(including Merlin's mayhem)

a delightful instrumental with harp, whistles and string quartet.

 

Tintagel is associated with a sense of enchantment, magic and mystery. The place of legends, it has seen monastaries, castles and caves come and go.

 

Gavin O'Loghlen : Acoustic guitars, drums, bass, percussion, keyboards, Prophet 5, bodhran, F whistle

Stephanie Graeber : Violin

Liesl Warner : Harp

Suzannah Graeber : Violin

Angelee Theodoros : Cello

Music written by Gavin O'Loghlen

 

 

LLanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch

- Wales

a very silly song with fiddles, guitars and a catchy singalong chorus sung in Welsh.

A tribute to that modern day monument - The Railway Sign -

 

Well he went to school, but he never learnt much reading, writing, geography

but his maths was great and he hoped to make university

so the day arrived - the examination - all hinged on the aural score

he was just ahead, final question said how do you spell - oh no!

LLanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch

 

Well he failed the test, he was devastated no future that he could see

so his father said "I've a friend of mine who could help maybe"

so he got a job with the North Wales Railway seventh station along the line

and as his train arrived on his first big day he could read the sign - oh no!

LLanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch

 

Gavin O'Loghlen : Acoustic guitars, drums, bass, percussion, keyboards, lead vocals

Angelee Theodoros : Vocals Anne Dormer : Vocals Harry Theodoros : Accordion

Stephanie Graeber : Violin Suzannah Graeber : Violin

Music and words written by Gavin O'Loghlen Welsh pronunciation : Elen Shute

 

 

Dun Trodden Broch, Scotland

a soaring vocal melody with piano, string quartet, uilleann and highland bagpipes.

Brochs are defensive forts that date from the iron age and are found only in Scotland. They provided shelter and safety from the Roman slave ships that plundered the coasts.

The second duet for Uilleann and Highland pipes.

 

Somewhere in the darkness I could hear a young voice sigh

somewhere in the Sound of Sleat the demons lie

with their sleek ships of death with their oars, capes and crests

and with sword in hand raised to the sky.

 

Somewhere on a hillside we had seen the broad white sails

words and legs had scrambled down to tell our tale

that the Romans had come and we children had run

from themountain side down to Gleann Beag.

 

Sometimes words have no meaning

sometimes truth sounds like lies

sometimes life is believing we are not meant to die.

 

Gathering the young and aged we climbed the stony stairs

hiding in the darkness of our own despair

while the men, swords in hand from their guard cells made plans

for the Roman hoards soon to appear.

 

Sometimes words have no meaning

sometimes truth sounds like lies

sometimes life is believing we are not meant to die.

 

Somewhere on a mountain top we heard the battle cry

heard the crimson tunic call to slavery

as we crouched in the gloom of our Dun Trodden tomb

a young voice was heard - "man must be free".

 

Sometimes words have no meaning

sometimes truth sounds like lies

sometimes life is believing we are not meant to die.

 

Gavin O'Loghlen : Acoustic guitars, drums, bass, percussion, bodhran, keyboards,

Highland pipes, vocals

Angelee Theodoros : Lead vocals Jack Brennan : Uilleann pipes

Daniel Seymour : Military snare Stephanie Graeber : Violin Suzannah Graeber : Violin

Music and words written by Gavin O'Loghlen

 

Silbury Hill, Wiltshire

a rich and hypnotic song for keyboards, guitars, whistles and vocals.

Silbury Hill is a man made hill built 4,500 years ago. Despite constant excavations it has revealed only a handful of grain at its base. Perhaps it was built simply for the joy of life.

 

Dawn of Lugnasadh, season of plenty the children rejoice

warm breath of summer, season of lovers and light

waist deep in grain, feel the rhythm of flailing

the slash, the fall, the knife

four seasons spinning unravelling the reasons of life.

High on a hilltop circles of white chalk reach up to the sky

barrows of earth creep like fingers on ropes up the side

higher and higher the white chalk is dyed with the kiss of Mother Earth

carries our visions our hopes and intentions, our worth.

 

Silbury Hill

what a world we can achieve

what a way to meet your needs

what a view of life I see

these are dreams I can believe.

 

On a hilltop, high emotion where the ley lines run in perfect motion

on a hilltop high above all the doubts below

feel the wind blow warm and free on my cheek and hair, staring ever onwards

to the visions far away as the eye can see.

 

Silbury Hill

what a world we can achieve

what a way to meet your needs

what a view of life I see

these are dreams I can believe.

 

On a hilltop man has made with his honest toil and sheer devotion

see the patterns come and go of the world below

like a top that's spinning faster

as the years slip by and forever after

little left to leave this world

to mark my time.

 

Silbury Hill

what a world we could achieve

take our share and meet our needs

play our part and live our creed

these are dreams I can believe.

 

Gavin O'Loghlen : Acoustic & electric guitars, drums, bass, percussion, bodhran,

keyboards, C whistle, lead and backing vocals

Angelee Theodoros : Vocals Anne Dormer : Vocals Harry Theodoros : Accordion

Music and words written by Gavin O'Loghlen

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Illustrations by Anne Dormer

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