FAWM: "Grandfather Pine Remembers Water"

Grandfather Pine Remembers Water

2 weeks ago by @janeg · @philkmills

Grandfather Pine Remembers Water

janeg +1

00:00

Liner Notes

Based on this science article: https://theconversation.com/trees-remember-wetter-times-never-having-known-abundant-rain-could-buffer-todays-young-forests-against-climate-change-242999 #nature #climatechange #filk

Lyrics by Jane, music and recording by Phil

Lyrics

Grandfather Pine, why do you not cry
The trees your age are starting to die
But I and the kids don't understand why
The weather has always been hot and dry

Grandchild, when I grew, more rain would fall
I’m accustomed to showers, occasional squalls
For drought, I simply have no wherewithal
My sap has dried out so I've no tears at all

Old trees remember the wetter times
Climate changes for us are crimes
Long dry spells cause us to decline
Far too soon, we're past our prime

Grandfather Pine, what can we saplings do
To save your life; we don't want to lose you
Can I share my water, or gather up the dew
We are all connected, and we look up to you

Grandchild, I fear it may be too late
For human activity has sealed my fate
But your parent trees could celebrate
If damage by people would terminate
Old trees remember the wetter times
Climate changes for us are crimes
Long dry spells cause us to decline
Far too soon, we're past our prime

Grandfather Pine, I will share that news
Forests can survive if only folk choose
To make tough changes, stop the abuse
Or else their grandkids' lives they'll lose

Old trees remember the wetter times
Climate changes for them are crimes
Long dry spells cause them to decline
Help the Earth return to a better clime

Comments

@berni1954 3d

A timely song for our times. This line is to die for:
"My sap has dried out so I've no tears at all"
Some fine rhymes too...

Looking at the current triumph of the climate crisis deniers. I am reminded of those lines of Yeats:
"Things fall apart, the centre cannot hold"

@infilktion 1w

I love that this is examined from the viewpoint of a tree. And the sad resignation of a living thing that cannot change its circumstances- Char

@gwynjones 2w

A very apposite and highly relevant piece of writing...well said...needs to be heard!

@bethdesombre 2w

The personalization of the trees is powerful. (I also like "My sap has dried out so I've no tears at all"). I hope people heed Grandfather Pine's admonitions.

@sexybass 2w

Fabulous and love the lyrics and tune. This one is definitely a keeper!

@cjk 2w

Beautiful, wistful. I'm feeling sad now. Great work.

@jackketch 2w

I found this song very touching. Lyrics were great, and I found the vocal delivery very matter of fact and oddly moving for it. Great job!

@metricula 2w

Beautiful

@edwinb 2w

That first verse in particular is excellent. I like the back and forth between the trees. Lovely guitar too.

@wurzelfrau 2w

Oh I love this. I also had the Ents in my head listening to this. Great storytelling and atmosphere.

@karan 2w

This wonderful song breaks my heart! We have the same problem here in the north of Bavaria - it is far too dry and the groundwater levels will never become as they once were, to the detriment of the trees ...

@billwhite51 2w

you sun up the article most effectively in the first verse. there is a broader meaning in the song in that it addresses the biological of the older generation dying as it fails to acclimate itself to changes in the earth and/or society, while the younger generation accepts these conditions because they are born into them. i recall the story of the jews wandering for 40 years before entering the promised land, because the generation that had known slavery had to die out so that there would be no memory of that era among the residents of the promised land. and so we must die so as to not impede the progress of the 21st century with our 20th century memories, prejudices, and perspectives. this is a wonderful song that works on both scientific and allegorical levels.

@danielkelly 2w

Some part of me wishes for an ‘Ents vs Saruman’ style showdown, but I fear that is not coming. Wonderful speaking for the trees Jane & Phil!

@ericdistadMod 2w

The story and lyric is so good. It feels very entish. ;) And if the trees could talk, they would be yelling this at us!

I love the flowing guitar work here. It sets the tone perfectly.

Well done!

@paul_pedersen 2w

I read somewhere that trees communicate with their neighbours through their root systems. I have no idea if that's true, but having a conversation between the grandfather pine and the saplings seems perfectly real for both the story and the climate message.

I think it's most appropriate to have selected a minor key to match the theme of the song.

@rowankingsbury 2w

YES. This message is sort of becoming my theme for this FAWM. Absolutely love the lyrics, and when I played the music, it was exactly what I was imagining. This is my kind of vibe, I love it.