Icarus

I first came across this song several years ago. It was included on a compilation CD called "British Folk Troubadours" that Sean received as a promo when he was managing Sam the Record Man on Barrington street, and which he thoughtfully passed on to me. This version was recorded by Martin Simpson, but the song was written by a woman called Ann Lister, who I know nothing at all about. (I'd love to know something about her!) I played it for everyone I could, and their responses were always along the lines of, "Yeah, it's nice." I could not for the life of me understand why it wasn't blowing their minds. It is like how I was always stunned to learn that I could still register for classes called things like "Critical Theory" and "Feminism and Composition" at such a late date. Doesn't everyone dig this stuff? I never really think I'm that weird until I find out that I am.

The only other version I've heard was performed by Garnet Rogers when he played at Ginger's probably about a year ago. After the show I enthused about how thrilling it was to have heard him play that song live, explaining how no one I knew seemed to know anything about it, and how it was one of my favourite songs in the world. Then I told him how I also loved it that he played a Greg Brown cover, and I didn't say a word about his own stuff which was, you know, alright, but nothing to write home about. Garnet Rogers has a reputation for being kind of a jerk, but he was absolutely kind and forthcoming when I spoke to him after the show, despite my dis-by-omission.

It's kind of funny that a song about the purest, truest kind of love that one can have for another human being is one that reminds me so much of my own singularity and isolation. A carrier of heavy wings is way more than anyone should ever expect.

Oh, and when I said that thing about love songs a couple of entries ago, I forgot to say that almost all my favourite songs are love songs.

Icarus - Ann Lister (Martin Simpson, Garnet Rogers)

I never wanted to fly high

I was too fond of walking

And when you said you'd touch the sky

I thought it was your way of talking

And then you said you'd build some wings

And find out how it could be done

But I was doubtful of everything

I never thought you'd reach the sun

You were so clever with your hands

I'd watch you for hours

With the glue and the rubber bands

Feathers and lace and flowers

And the finished wings they glowed so bright

Like some bird of glory

I began to envy you your flight

Like some old hero's story

You tried to get me to go with you

You tried always to dare me

But I looked at the sky so blue

I thought the height would scare me

But I carried your wings for you

Up the path to the cliff face

Kissed you goodbye and watched your eyes

Already bright with sunlight

Oh it was grand at the start

To watch you soaring higher

There was a pain deep in my heart

The wings seemed tipped with fire

Like a seagull or a lark

Rising up forever

Like some ember or some spark

Rising from earth to heaven

Then I believed you'd touch the sun

I believed all you told me

Do a thing no man has ever done

You'd touch the stars to please me

But then I saw the white wings fail

Then I saw the feathers falter

Watched you drop like a bowl of gold

Into the wide green water

Now some are born to fly high

And some are born to follow

Some are born to touch the sky

While some walk in the hollow

And as I watched your body fall

I knew that really you had won

For your grave was not the earth

But the reflection of the sun