Lyonesse

Words and music: Richard Gendall.© Sentinel Music. Arrangement: Brenda Wootton. “All of me” album, Knight Design; recorded live 1984, produced 2010.

 

Lyonesse, Lyonesse, where was your shore?

Houses and villages, houses and villages, seen no more,

Lyonesse, Lyonesse, under the sea,

Dreams lie with mermaids, children to be,

Dreams lie with mermaids, children to be.

 

Royal line, Royal line, where’s your domaine?

Of your bright palaces, of your bright palaces, none remain,

Royal line, Royal line, will you return?

Where bones lie mouldering under the fern,

Where bones lie mouldering under the fern.

 

Every year, every year, life springs again,

Giving new chances, giving new chances, healing pain,

Every year, every year, we can reveal

Dream woven palaces round a new child,

Dream woven palaces round a new child.

 

Cornish child, Cornish child, you are today,

Travelling with every man, travelling with everyman, on your way,

Cornish child, Cornish child, within your life’s will,

There is a Lyonesse that can be still,

There is a Lyonesse that can be still.

 

Lyonesse, Lyonesse, where was your shore?

Houses and villages, houses and villages … seen no more … seen no more.

 

Sue Ellery-Hill Aug 2020