I first heard this song on BBC, a coverage of the Cambridge Folk Festival.
It has become my song of the year after it was constant repeat the last couple of days.
Roots - Show of Hands
Now it's been 25 years or more
I've roamed this land from shore to shore
From Tyne to Teign, or Severn to Thames
From moor to vale, from peak to fen
Played in cafes, pubs and bars
I've stood in the street with my own guitar
But I'd be richer than all the rest
If I had a pound for each request
For 'Duelling Banjos', 'American Pie'
It's enough to make you cry
'Rule Britannia', or 'Swing low...'
Are they the only songs we English know?
Seed, bark, flower, fruit
They're never gonna grow without their roots
Branch, stem, shoot
They need roots
After the speeches, when the cake's been cut
The disco's over and the bar is shut
At christening, birthday, wedding or wake
What can we sing 'til the morning breaks
When the Indians, Asians, Afro-Celts
It's in their blood, below their belt
They're playing and dancing all night long
So what have they got right that we've got wrong?
Seed, bark, flower, fruit
They're never gonna grow without their roots
Branch, stem, shoot
They need roots and
Haul away boys, let them go
Out in the wind and the rain and snow
We've lost more than we'll ever know
'Round the rocky shores of England
We need roots
And a minister said his vision of hell
Is three folk singers in a pub near Wales
Well, I've got a vision of urban sprawl
There's pubs where no-one ever sings at all
And everyone stares at a great big screen
Overpaid soccer stars, prancing teens
Australian soap, American rap
Estuary English, baseball caps
And we oughta be ashamed of all we walk
Of the way we look, at the way we talk
Without our stories or our songs
How will we know where we come from?
I've lost St. George and the Union Jack
That's my flag too and I want it back
Seed, bark, flower, fruit
Never gonna grow without their roots
Branch, stem, shoot
We need roots
Haul away boys, let them go
Out in the wind and the rain and snow
We've lost more than we'll ever know
'Round the rocky shores of England
We need roots...
I'm living in a country which has no idea what its roots are.
I come from a country where everybody things that the roots are Dirndl and Lederhosen or a bunch of wanna-be sailors singing sea shanties.
It's part of it, but it's not all.
I have been fortunate to grow up with a lot of roots, but I see them disappear when I go and visit my home country, my home town.
But the worst I've experienced so far is The Netherlands. Language dying out and being replaced by US/Uk slang, denying roots and heritage, lying about history and no folk culture. Volendam is not roots.
No stories, no songs.
What are our roots?
29 December 2010
27 December 2010
Rambling on
Christmas with the family has been survived.
Since both my parents and my sister live not here, but in the same small city in Germany it is up to hubby and me to do the travelling.
We set off on the 16th, which also happened to be my Dad's 70th birthday.
That was celebrated with nice company and food.
On the 17th we set of to Cologne, where we visited various Christmas markets.
The oneat the Dom - sucked. The nicest thing was the light and the Dom itself.
Mediaeval one - sucked. The band was nice and we had some fun with the soap lady and the coffee crew, though.
Old town one - decent!!!
We travelled to Siegburg, just to see the mediaeval christmas market there. Which did not suck at all, but was a lot of fun and entertainment.
We also ventured to Duesseldorf and yes, the christmas market there sucked as well.
What is it with all the food and alcoholic beverages? Where is the art, the spirit, the craftiness?
Christmas saw us returning to the aforementioned little town and tons of snow. With ice underneath. Oh joy....
I didn't much like Christmas.
That is both usually and particularly.
I have to come up with something less alcoholic (my parents hardly drink and I drink maybe two beers during the evening and night, but the rest of the extended family drinks like there is no tomorrow. On every occasion. And there are lots of occasions. My sisters mother-in-law turns into an awful, violent and insulting hag. Really great! I somehow get that my Mom has some problems with that lady. She is more decent when sober, though.)
Something that involves less stress on our part.
I just don't know what yet.
We came home to something like this:
Moist air, anybody?
I loved the present I got from my parents. A wooden train. With tracks. You can't understand this, but it used to be my favourite toy when I was a wee little pixie.
I will display it and I might even post pictures once I have it constructed the way I want it.
It's not the same train, but it's a wooden train. With tracks. My dolls will love it!
I also got myself a second-hand spinning wheel. Now I just have to get the hang of it. Which sounds easier than it is ;-)
I managed to knit the hubby a scarf (his request and he chose the yarn).
I also got 80% done on a shawl for dear little me.
I got some colourful yarn for a cowl for dear little me.
I got to see the rerun of the Doctor Who Christmas special. I cried.
I decided I need more mediaeval markets and events in my life. There is very little of that here in the Netherlands, so there will be some travelling involved.
Now we are enjoying the remainder of hubby's vacation. There will be a visit to the cinema. Some shopping. Lots of cat cuddling. Some spinning and knitting. Reading - oh, how I love reading. Food.
And to leave you on a fantasy dream -
Your fairy is
Hazel Elfwand
She is cheerful and friendly.
She lives in places hexed and tainted by black magic.
She is only seen when the seeker holds a four-leafed clover.
She wears black feathers and rose petals and has transparent green wings like a cicada.
Since both my parents and my sister live not here, but in the same small city in Germany it is up to hubby and me to do the travelling.
We set off on the 16th, which also happened to be my Dad's 70th birthday.
That was celebrated with nice company and food.
On the 17th we set of to Cologne, where we visited various Christmas markets.
The oneat the Dom - sucked. The nicest thing was the light and the Dom itself.
Mediaeval one - sucked. The band was nice and we had some fun with the soap lady and the coffee crew, though.
Old town one - decent!!!
We travelled to Siegburg, just to see the mediaeval christmas market there. Which did not suck at all, but was a lot of fun and entertainment.
We also ventured to Duesseldorf and yes, the christmas market there sucked as well.
What is it with all the food and alcoholic beverages? Where is the art, the spirit, the craftiness?
Christmas saw us returning to the aforementioned little town and tons of snow. With ice underneath. Oh joy....
I didn't much like Christmas.
That is both usually and particularly.
I have to come up with something less alcoholic (my parents hardly drink and I drink maybe two beers during the evening and night, but the rest of the extended family drinks like there is no tomorrow. On every occasion. And there are lots of occasions. My sisters mother-in-law turns into an awful, violent and insulting hag. Really great! I somehow get that my Mom has some problems with that lady. She is more decent when sober, though.)
Something that involves less stress on our part.
I just don't know what yet.
We came home to something like this:
Moist air, anybody?
I loved the present I got from my parents. A wooden train. With tracks. You can't understand this, but it used to be my favourite toy when I was a wee little pixie.
I will display it and I might even post pictures once I have it constructed the way I want it.
It's not the same train, but it's a wooden train. With tracks. My dolls will love it!
I also got myself a second-hand spinning wheel. Now I just have to get the hang of it. Which sounds easier than it is ;-)
I managed to knit the hubby a scarf (his request and he chose the yarn).
I also got 80% done on a shawl for dear little me.
I got some colourful yarn for a cowl for dear little me.
I got to see the rerun of the Doctor Who Christmas special. I cried.
I decided I need more mediaeval markets and events in my life. There is very little of that here in the Netherlands, so there will be some travelling involved.
Now we are enjoying the remainder of hubby's vacation. There will be a visit to the cinema. Some shopping. Lots of cat cuddling. Some spinning and knitting. Reading - oh, how I love reading. Food.
And to leave you on a fantasy dream -
Your fairy is
Hazel Elfwand
She is cheerful and friendly.
She lives in places hexed and tainted by black magic.
She is only seen when the seeker holds a four-leafed clover.
She wears black feathers and rose petals and has transparent green wings like a cicada.
21 November 2010
If anything is wrong
and disturbing and did I mention wrong it's this:
The United Nations has removed a plea for lesbians, gays and bisexuals not to be executed in a narrow vote.
And that on International Transgender Day of Remembrance, too.
Way to go, murderers!
The United Nations has removed a plea for lesbians, gays and bisexuals not to be executed in a narrow vote.
And that on International Transgender Day of Remembrance, too.
Way to go, murderers!
20 November 2010
Plans for this weekend
On my playlist: Fish (as in "previous singer of Marillion") and possibly some folk.
On my reading list: The Child Thief
On my knitting list: second sleeve of Jacket Deconstructed in Noro Sock Yarn S520 on 5,5mm needles.
On the stove: fresh vegetable soup with brown rice, own recipe.
16 November 2010
Reading..
I love reading.
Even if this means that according to research I should have problems recognizing faces.
Which I don't.
So maybe I don't read enough ;-)
I can't have enough books in my life.
My reading list is about a mile long already, with
I Shall Wear Midnight right at the top.
But I wait until I get the fan's jacket edition - because my face is on there somewhere as well.
I read through a lot of genres and this is more for me than for you, so skip if you don't want to see my wish list of books
Magick Charm
I love New Orleans and jazz, quirky is one of my middle names and this seems to be a nice "curl up with coffee or tea, cats and blanket" kind of book
Vicious Grace
I read the first two of the series, they are responsible for rekindling my love for jazzy New Orleans and its history. Yes, history. You have to understand the history!
Pale Demon
I love the series! By February I should have tackled some books on my wish list already, so yeah, more Hollows!
Anglo-Saxon, Celtic and Viking embroidery
I have saxon and possibly viking blood in me. Yes, we have lots of redheads in the family and I was one of then when I was born. Unfortunately, it faded to a dark ash blonde the older I got. My Dad has a copper red beard and ash blonde hair. My last name is the old low German word for acorn. The Saxon tribe we descend from on my father's side are the Angrivarii
It's not that easy to find pre-Christian details...My favourite time is around the 5th century. The more intriguing pieces in Engand date from the 7th century.
Picky, much? :-) After Charlemagne it gets boring around the continental Saxons.
I haven't done much embroidery in my life, but lately got intrigued. Do I have to tell you that I actually ordered this book?
There is so far only one upcoming movie I plan seeing - The Burlesque with Cher and Christina Aguilera. I have a soft spot for cliche movies...and old-fashioned burlesque, cabaret and theatre. Think the legendary KitKat club as depicted in my all time favourite Cabaret.
Lately, I have been on an 80s brat pack trip. Would you believe I've never seen 16 candles? I just recently caught up on Some kind of wonderful.
I'm easily entertained ;-)
Even if this means that according to research I should have problems recognizing faces.
Which I don't.
So maybe I don't read enough ;-)
I can't have enough books in my life.
My reading list is about a mile long already, with
I Shall Wear Midnight right at the top.
But I wait until I get the fan's jacket edition - because my face is on there somewhere as well.
I read through a lot of genres and this is more for me than for you, so skip if you don't want to see my wish list of books
Magick Charm
I love New Orleans and jazz, quirky is one of my middle names and this seems to be a nice "curl up with coffee or tea, cats and blanket" kind of book
Vicious Grace
I read the first two of the series, they are responsible for rekindling my love for jazzy New Orleans and its history. Yes, history. You have to understand the history!
Pale Demon
I love the series! By February I should have tackled some books on my wish list already, so yeah, more Hollows!
Anglo-Saxon, Celtic and Viking embroidery
I have saxon and possibly viking blood in me. Yes, we have lots of redheads in the family and I was one of then when I was born. Unfortunately, it faded to a dark ash blonde the older I got. My Dad has a copper red beard and ash blonde hair. My last name is the old low German word for acorn. The Saxon tribe we descend from on my father's side are the Angrivarii
It's not that easy to find pre-Christian details...My favourite time is around the 5th century. The more intriguing pieces in Engand date from the 7th century.
Picky, much? :-) After Charlemagne it gets boring around the continental Saxons.
I haven't done much embroidery in my life, but lately got intrigued. Do I have to tell you that I actually ordered this book?
There is so far only one upcoming movie I plan seeing - The Burlesque with Cher and Christina Aguilera. I have a soft spot for cliche movies...and old-fashioned burlesque, cabaret and theatre. Think the legendary KitKat club as depicted in my all time favourite Cabaret.
Lately, I have been on an 80s brat pack trip. Would you believe I've never seen 16 candles? I just recently caught up on Some kind of wonderful.
I'm easily entertained ;-)
10 November 2010
Even more autumn and the wheel turned
My my, it's been a while again...
It's got really autumn-y here lately.
This was taken on the morning after Samhain and it couldn't have been a better reflection of the time of year in the wheel. A very thin veil indeed.
Perfect day to spend at the dentist...and have an old bridge removed :-(
Luckily I have the new one already and can chew and bite again!
On the knitting side I make progress - if I have the chance to.
I get occasionally blocked by a certain someone...
But I'm on the first sleeve of the cardigan and the back of the tunica is completely done with me currently at the last part of the front. Then again sleeves.
I participated in my first ever swap on Ravelry. I don't think you would be surprised if it was one organized by the Caffeine Addicts group, wouldn't you?
Aren't the socks just gorgeous? I have stopped knitting socks aeons ago...I can't stand them! On the needles, that is. On the feet it's an entirely different story :-)
What else has happened?
Oh, yes, October saw us having our 10th wedding anniversary. Still happy :-)
We got front row tickets for Cirque Du Soleil on Samhain and thoroughly enjoyed their show Totem. Words cannot describe the open mouth chin-meets-knee cap time we spent watching whirlwinds of acrobats beating the odds of gravity.
Shortly before that a dream turned into a personal nightmare. No further details, but I had to take a brave and frighting decision. Which I did - and it was and still is the best decision I could have taken for my sake. I'm letting this float through me, I have to accept what is coming and so far I'm actually blooming. I have gotten things done that were long overdue and it feels damn good. Needless to say that the hubby is happy as well and enjoys the benefits ;-)
A lot of "out with the old, in with the new". And now the wheel turned :-)
Talking about wheel - I am contemplating getting myself a spinning wheel. Now I just have to find one that is a. suitable for beginners and b. looks decent.
I looked at Louet wheels and I don't find them visually appealing. The Ashford Kiwi looks better, but still "too modern" for my liking. But it would make a good learning wheel.
I don't want to travel with the wheel, I'm a bit old-fashioned when it comes to my crafts. If I want to travel with my spinning I take one of my beloved tolls with me.
And now I'm going to return to my favourite past time - listening to Sherlock Holmes audiobooks and taking advantage of Silly sleeping in the chair, so sleeve, here I come
It's got really autumn-y here lately.
This was taken on the morning after Samhain and it couldn't have been a better reflection of the time of year in the wheel. A very thin veil indeed.
Perfect day to spend at the dentist...and have an old bridge removed :-(
Luckily I have the new one already and can chew and bite again!
On the knitting side I make progress - if I have the chance to.
I get occasionally blocked by a certain someone...
But I'm on the first sleeve of the cardigan and the back of the tunica is completely done with me currently at the last part of the front. Then again sleeves.
I participated in my first ever swap on Ravelry. I don't think you would be surprised if it was one organized by the Caffeine Addicts group, wouldn't you?
Aren't the socks just gorgeous? I have stopped knitting socks aeons ago...I can't stand them! On the needles, that is. On the feet it's an entirely different story :-)
What else has happened?
Oh, yes, October saw us having our 10th wedding anniversary. Still happy :-)
We got front row tickets for Cirque Du Soleil on Samhain and thoroughly enjoyed their show Totem. Words cannot describe the open mouth chin-meets-knee cap time we spent watching whirlwinds of acrobats beating the odds of gravity.
Shortly before that a dream turned into a personal nightmare. No further details, but I had to take a brave and frighting decision. Which I did - and it was and still is the best decision I could have taken for my sake. I'm letting this float through me, I have to accept what is coming and so far I'm actually blooming. I have gotten things done that were long overdue and it feels damn good. Needless to say that the hubby is happy as well and enjoys the benefits ;-)
A lot of "out with the old, in with the new". And now the wheel turned :-)
Talking about wheel - I am contemplating getting myself a spinning wheel. Now I just have to find one that is a. suitable for beginners and b. looks decent.
I looked at Louet wheels and I don't find them visually appealing. The Ashford Kiwi looks better, but still "too modern" for my liking. But it would make a good learning wheel.
I don't want to travel with the wheel, I'm a bit old-fashioned when it comes to my crafts. If I want to travel with my spinning I take one of my beloved tolls with me.
And now I'm going to return to my favourite past time - listening to Sherlock Holmes audiobooks and taking advantage of Silly sleeping in the chair, so sleeve, here I come
25 September 2010
Autumn
It clearly is autumn!
The leaves have started to change into colour combination that are too wonderful to describe! The knitter in me wishes those colours would suit me, but alas, they don't. I still marvel at the work of Mother Nature :-)
The kitchen is almost done! I need one shelf for above the nuclear foodwarmer for my coffee and tea, but the wall paper is up and it really brightens the room up.
My kitchen is 5m long, but only 1,80m wide...
And some more impressions of our abode:
A very comfortable sofa! We also like to sleep on it, we both fit perfectly!
Books everywhere:
My little sister made the game board, it was her wedding present to us. It comes with matching ghosts... :-)
Also featured: my hippo collection and a glimpse of my stash ;-)
There is knitting everywhere in this house, even the Tontu are busy...
They get more knitting done than I have lately...too busy. Hardly a day where I'm home before 10:30pm. I cherish weekends...
Today is meeting up with sister and brother-in-law for a shopping spree in our local mall and a Spaghetti feast. Tomorrow is "do nothing or as little as possible day".
Monday I have a meeting with the boss, the supervisor, the project lead and a colleague...Tuesday I have to work on a secondary and personal project...more fun, but this time good fun.
There may be time for knitting somewhere, I just have to find it!
The leaves have started to change into colour combination that are too wonderful to describe! The knitter in me wishes those colours would suit me, but alas, they don't. I still marvel at the work of Mother Nature :-)
The kitchen is almost done! I need one shelf for above the nuclear foodwarmer for my coffee and tea, but the wall paper is up and it really brightens the room up.
My kitchen is 5m long, but only 1,80m wide...
And some more impressions of our abode:
A very comfortable sofa! We also like to sleep on it, we both fit perfectly!
Books everywhere:
My little sister made the game board, it was her wedding present to us. It comes with matching ghosts... :-)
Also featured: my hippo collection and a glimpse of my stash ;-)
There is knitting everywhere in this house, even the Tontu are busy...
They get more knitting done than I have lately...too busy. Hardly a day where I'm home before 10:30pm. I cherish weekends...
Today is meeting up with sister and brother-in-law for a shopping spree in our local mall and a Spaghetti feast. Tomorrow is "do nothing or as little as possible day".
Monday I have a meeting with the boss, the supervisor, the project lead and a colleague...Tuesday I have to work on a secondary and personal project...more fun, but this time good fun.
There may be time for knitting somewhere, I just have to find it!
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