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#46 CLARE'S SONG

by Peter Kearney

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Scroll down to see FULL LYRICS & Information re CDs.

NOTES: Clare's Song is heard early in the second half of 'Good Morning Good People', my musical-narrative on the life of St. Francis of Assisi.

As you will hear, the song is preceded by a section of narration that gives context to the song.

The track was recorded during a concert in the premiere season of 'Good Morning Good People', November 1994. The singer is Claire Parkhill. The unusual instrument that sounds like a harpsichord is actually a hammered dulcimer played by Gill Rees.

'Good Morning Good People' including 'Clare's Song' is available as a Double-CD. See information below.
******

lyrics

NARRATOR 1:
In his new-found peace
Francis longed to stay on the Mountain
in his life of prayer and contemplation.
But, in holding peace, his peace departed
And the Valley haunted his dreams.
Eventually, unable to resolve this dilemma
He sought for guidance from the one he trusted most.

This was Clare - daughter of a noble family from Assisi,
who at the age of nineteen left her family home in the dead of night
and went to the forest camp
where Francis and his companions waited
to receive her into the Order.

Her beauty was such,
it is said Francis avoided looking into her eyes
for fear of his own weakness.

NARRATOR 2:
As far as she was concerned, he needn't have worried.
She lived her life of prayer and poverty
not like Francis, homeless and itinerant,
but enclosed in the convent of San Damiano.

NARRATOR 1: Strong, determined, clear-headed,
she remained for Francis an inspiration and guiding star.
He trusted her to decide.

For him she could be the joyful song of the mountain-lark.
Or the penetrating voice of the Valley.

CLARE'S SONG
Today you ask me to decide
For you have no way of knowing all the future holds for you.
Like a child inside a dream do you think it might be over
If you open up your eyes to see it through?

You can lose yourself in wonder, you can float away on dreams;
You may think that you are praying, glimpsing all God's schemes
And miss the truth that's there to find in the turmoil of the Valley
You think you've left behind ‘cause you like to dream.

And dreaming is alright to find the journey's start
Praying is alright to hear the call
But the journey is a way of steady walking
And the call is from the voices of the small.

Every day that I have known you I'm surprised
Ever since I heard you speaking in your fervent, awkward way.
You cleared my eyes, you woke my dream
And I couldn't wait to join you, left my life in disarray.
I left my home. I left it all to go with you.

And from my father's castle now I've come into this place
Where I only have the freedom to pray and make the finest lace.
But you're a bird, you soar so high
Like the lark you lift the Valley up and sing it to the sky.
I share the song. I share the dream
And I'll keep it clear as water that flows in mountain streams.
We are one in joy and pain and I'll hold you in my heart now
And hope that I will see you soon again.

And dreaming is alright to find the journey's start.
Praying is alright to hear the call.
But the journey is a way of steady walking
And the call is from the voices of the poor.

credits

released August 7, 2020
*****
RESOURCES:
DOUBLE-CD: 'Good Morning Good People!' (A Journey in Song):
contains the version of 'Clare's Song' and is available through Peter's online shop: peterkearneysongs.com.au/product/356141

THE RECORDING:
Recorded 'in concert' November 1994. Clubbe Hall, Mittagong.
NARRATORS: David Shapiro and Wendy McMahon-Bell
SINGER: Claire Parkhill
INSTRUMENTAL ARRANGEMENT by Peter Kearney
MUSICIANS: Gill Rees - piano accordion and hammered dulcimer
Simone Olding - flute.
Peter Kearney - guitar

COPYRIGHT © 1994 Peter Kearney.
This song is registered with ONE LICENSE, APRA and AMCOS. Church and school licences through 'One License'.

SUBSCRIBE TO SONG-POSTS via the simple form on the homepage of Peter's website: peterkearneysongs.com.au/home

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Peter Kearney Mittagong, Australia

Peter Kearney is an Australian songwriter and singer. His early folk-hymns 'Fill My House' & 'The Beatitudes' are internationally known. He has written many other songs of justice and peace, songs for children, and a musical-narrative on St. Francis of Assisi. His published recordings include 153 original songs.

LINKS BELOW are for Peter's:
- Website
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- Facebook Artist Page.
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