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Solstice in Avalon

from Faerie Fire Dances by Marc Block

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Solstice in Avalon Words by Dux Dido, music by Marc Block.
Prologue from Prometheus, or The Poet’s Forethought, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

Written as a poem after the Albion Faeries’ first Summer Solstice celebration in Paddington Wood near Glastonbury. I thought Dido had beautifully captured what was a fairly indescribable event, and I wanted to set it music. It worked out perfectly when Dido bought a song at auction and wanted me to do a setting of a poem his. I’ve tried to capture some of the magic of that night in sound.

lyrics

Of Prometheus, how undaunted
On Olympus’ shining bastions
His audacious foot he planted,
Myths are told and songs are chanted,
Full of promptings and suggestions.

Beautiful is the tradition
Of that flight through heavenly portals,
The old classic superstition
Of the theft and the transmission
Of the fire of the Immortals!

Hard by Paddington Farm
Stands Paddington Wood
Where deep within
Ananga and his Faerie friends from far
Blissfully danced, pranced, and vaguely stood.
What sounds were heard; what scenes appeared
Oh, those flames did bond and purge,
Our kisses touched oblivion.

And hidden in their secret bower
All in fragrant night’s flower,
The satyrs of Paddington Wood
Crouched silently and watched in wonder struck.
And turning to his shaggy mate, one did whisper in a hush,
“For never yet did I behold mortals like to these,
Neither Man nor Woman
I am awed as I look upon them”

credits

from Faerie Fire Dances, released October 28, 2020
Drone: The Ganges Orchestra (Pure Drone 1, from Pure Drones Vol. 1, by Sheila Chandra and the Ganges Orchestra).
Spoken Word: Nick Simons (Real Deal).
Bouzouki: Marc.
Hurdy-gurdy, backing vocals: Doug Eunson.
Viola, backing vocals: Sarah Matthews.
Djembe: Shokti, Debra Cadabra, Tom A Wright, Marc.
Accordion: Simon Dumpleton.
Autoharp: Sandra Kerr.
Backing vocals: Nancy Kerr, Gina le Faux, Sandra Kerr, Rowan Franck, Tom A Wright.

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all rights reserved

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Marc Block Nottingham, UK

"one of the most exciting singers I've heard in a long, long time" - Mike Harding

“The joy in the singing is totally what I need right now” – Peggy Seeger

"Really good stuff" - Mark Radcliffe, BBC R2 ... more

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