Walk Across the Water

by @nancycunning · @n1742

Liner Notes

Nigel sent me this beautiful track. The longing in the music made me think of a character in a book I've been reading who refuses to believe her father is dead and not just missing in the early days of World War II. She lives near the water in England and he went missing in France. Repeating the stories she makes up about him to a cousin is the way she comforts herself, so this song became all about repetition with slight variations. Nigel added harmonies and more instruments...

Nigel … #flute #dorian

I came up with a backing track in Dorian mode of piano, harp strings and percussion and Nancy came up with this great song idea which fits the music so well. Once Nancy had done her lovely vocal I just added simple bass, a bit of backing vocal and flutes towards the end. Thanks Nancy for your work on this. It was such fun to do. #collab

Lyrics

I wish we were walking ‘cross the water I’ll get worn out watching from the shore Why must you go across the water Why can’t you Why don’t you Why won’t you stay on my side anymore

I’ll get worn out watching from the shore Why must you Why won’t you Why don’t you anymore

Ooooohahhh Ooooohahhhh The breakers break And the seagulls spin Without waiting for the war to begin

I wish we were walking ‘cross the water I’m worn out watching from the shore Why must stay across the water Why can’t you Why don’t you Why won’t you come to my side anymore

I’m worn out watching from the shore Why must you Why won’t you Why don’t you anymore

Ooooohahhh Ooooohahhhh The breakers break The seagull sspin Without waiting for the world to begin

Are you walking ‘cross the water Are you watching from the shore Are you far across the water Why must you Why won’t you Why don’t you

Comments

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@kosch

The longing is palpable - the musical flourishes are perfectly done - they were such a complete part of the tapestry. A nice turn to the "Oooooo Aaaaa"s

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Haunting melody, and a song of desire. Questions asked but no resolve. A tale of yearning. Very effective voice and music.

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Nancy, I like your vocal on this, it's tender and vulnerable. The lyric is interesting, it relates a strong feeling for me which must come from the images of the shore and water but it's not a very detailed story. In this case it works all the better for it. The rhythm is active without being heavy handed. It's a good arrangement.

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A song marriage made in heaven between music and words!

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@andyt13

Indeed! Groovy and cool.

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nancy's vocal takes my breath away, and nigels music brings images from many different cultures into my minds eye. the central concept of the gulf between england and france represented by the english channel in wartime is brilliant, and the chorus carries that longing for communication

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Ok--refreshed a couple of times, and the music finally started. Lovely, lovely song. Very nice collaboration! ❤️

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That book you mention sounds very familiar--I might have read it a while back (?)

Hmmm...the music isn't playing for me. That's weird...

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