Song picture
The Green Man
Like
Playlist
Comment Share
Free download
A song about the legend of the Green Man, the personification of growth and renewal. The story has echoes in both Paganism and Christianity. The song also contrasts the encroachment of the urban on the rural.
pop rock folk country christmas chris paul bouzouki frettedfriends
Artist picture
Difficult to classify. Possibly folk, country, rock, pop...who knows?
Tobe A. Richards: Vocals, guitar, keyboards, mandolin, bass, bouzouki, cittern, cuatro, percussion etc. Chris Richards; Vocals Guests: Paul S. Baker: Vocals, keyboards, guitar, bass, autoharp, percussion etc.
Song Info
Genre
Acoustic • Acoustic Folk
Charts
#16,840 today Peak #215
#3,717 in subgenre Peak #26
Author
Music & Lyrics by Tobe A. Richards
Rights
Transongs 2004
Uploaded
March 13, 2005
Track Files
MP3
MP3 5.4 MB • 128 kbps • 0:00
Story behind the song
I've always been interested in national myths, legends and folk tales and thought the Green Man would make an interesting subject. The recording isn't entirely finished, but this should give a general ideas of the format. Chris and I sing lead vocals on this track.
Lyrics
THE GREEN MAN ============= Music & lyrics by Tobe A. Richards Who's all dressed in lincoln green Head to toe but never seen Lord of all the greenery His leafy-headed majesty It's the Green Man, it's the Green Man The spirit of the wood Painting all the flowers with rain From the reddest rose to the cruel wolfbane Heralding the Spring again Jack-in-the-Green, Green George, Green Jack Three ancient names known from way back The bringer of fertility Come praise this pagan deity It's the Green Man, it's the Green Man The father of the fields He'll summon up his vernal power Pasture meadow, tree and flower Every leaf and every bower So dance the ranks of Morris Men Wake the valley, shake the glen Raise the maypole high again Instrumental It's the Green Man, it's the Green Man The guardian of the green John Barleycorn and Robin Hood Bad in battle with the good Hail the watcher in the wood Some trace his roots through history To early Christianity Breathing life unto the land Praise the foliated man It's the Green Man, it's the Green Man The bringer of new life Our verdant friend of vegetation Raise a glass in salutation Birth and death, regeneration Fairy children, Mumming plays Long forgotten ancient ways Bale the corn and grow the maize Mighty oak and columbine Ragged robin, celandine Honeysuckle, thorn and pine Sweet the grape upon the vine Can you hear the Green Man through the wine Come the May you will be mine Village green and tended lawn The man in in green will be reborn Sweet the nectar, sharp the thorn Holly berry, ash and rowan The seeds of life will be resown Restore the king upon the throne Underneath the ice and snow Silent, waiting for to grow The hand of Winter will let go Why abandon us so long When the grip of old man cold is strong Join the circle join the song Bring the Green Man back again To walk among his fellow men Through the forest, through the fen But the echo of a once green land Trickles through a careless hand Like the hourglasses' shifting sand © Transongs 2004
On Playlists
Comments
Please sign up or log in to post a comment.