Songs Of The Apple Tree

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montydog

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« on: January 24, 2019, 07:02:12 PM »
Hi All,

This is a re-written, re-arranged and re-recorded version of one of my earliest songs.  I hope you like it. All feedback gratefully received.

https://soundcloud.com/alan-walker-4/songs-of-the-apple-tree

When October comes stealing out of the summer
Pour the cider from barrels for you and for me
The laughter that rings through the cold days of winter
Makes the happiest song of the old apple tree

When soft evening light flows over the orchards
Young couples come courting to flirt and to tease
Words under boughs so heavy with promise
Make the softest song of the old apple tree

For the apple tree has been here since the wildwood
Covered the land from sea to sea
There's been bone bare winters and 4,000 summers
Since the fresh blossom of the first apple tree

When spring brings the brides into the churchyard
There's blossom for blessings let handfulls fall free
New lives and hopes for the next generation
Make an ancient song of the old apple tree

When night comes marching between the gravestones
And the ghosts of the dead dance on the breeze
The windfall that rots and the waste of forever
Makes the saddest song of the old apple tree

For the apple tree has been here since the wildwood
Covered the land from sea to sea
There's been falcon flown summers and 4,000 winters
Since the fresh blossom of the first apple tree

When the Robin comes and sits in the meadow
And I'm an old man taking my ease
The song that he sings and will sing me tomorrow
Makes the sweetest of sounds for the old apple tree

For the apple tree has been here since the wildwood
Covered the land from sea to sea
There's been bone bare winters and 4,000 summers
Since the fresh blossom of the first apple tree

For the apple tree has been here since the wildwood
Covered the land from sea to sea
There's been falcon flown summers and 4,000 winters
Since the fresh blossom of the first apple tree

« Last Edit: January 24, 2019, 07:59:52 PM by montydog »

MonnoDB

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« Reply #1 on: January 24, 2019, 07:52:53 PM »
Lovely folk song @montydog .. and of course that’s always going to be a good start for me :-). ‘Bone bare winters...’ my favourite turn of phrase among many in your image-laden lyrics. Just lovely. Nice touch with the acappella section at the end.

Skub

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« Reply #2 on: January 24, 2019, 08:01:42 PM »
Yo Alan.

I've played 'The Gambler' too many times to count,this is a close flyby on the verses.

Overall it's well done and quintessentially English folk,it drives and convinces. I can't comment on the original,but the new chorus works for me.

Top work.  8)

pompeyjazz

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« Reply #3 on: January 24, 2019, 10:07:50 PM »
Fine execution of a song of the traditional English folk song Alan. I thought that the M8 was an unexpected and different departure and liked the chord changes going on. Another fine song to add to your portfolio

Furry61

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« Reply #4 on: January 25, 2019, 01:17:18 PM »
This is very lovely Alan, GL would approve of this one I think, I really enjoyed listening to it. Geoff

redrhodie

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« Reply #5 on: January 25, 2019, 01:34:56 PM »
Beautifully sung, played, and produced. I like the ending and the falcon imagery.

Lynn

cowparsleyman

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« Reply #6 on: January 27, 2019, 03:31:00 PM »
Hi Al,

(Listened on Klipsch earbuds)

To me this genre really suits your voice, superb vocals and production, lovely acoustic guitar.

Would have been great to have a Female tracking Vox on V2.

Nice thickening of the BVox in the bridge.

Maybe a building of instruments in each verse.

A really very lovely song.

Rich

Binladeda

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« Reply #7 on: January 28, 2019, 08:59:54 PM »

 Hey Monty  ;D

 I remember this very well ;D....don't know why ::).  Must be getting on for 7 years ??
 Think it was the first time I heard that voice of yours  ;D  and it still gets me....every time ;D
 Reminds me of people like Val Doonican, Roger Whittaker etc.  Full of nostalgia for me.  Takes me
 back to the front room, watching TV with me Mum and Dad....you're a magician ;D ;D

 Love it Monty...

Nowt as queer as folk...........my gran

adamfarr

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« Reply #8 on: January 30, 2019, 01:11:36 PM »
Lovely music and feel here. Really like that gentle organ sound which really fills the space.


Clever storytelling as well right up to the poignant ending. I wondered about the change in the robin verse - I think you could have gone with song again in that last line? Not that it really stood out when listening.


I will make one slightly critical point: I would try to phrase the chorus slightly differently - where you sing "the wild wood [pause] Covered the land" for me it follows the music too closely at the cost of feeling natural. (I've been looking at some of my own vocals recently in this light so maybe this is on my mind but it did stand out to me...)


But it's a fine song and really easy on the ears for sure.

The Portrait Piano

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« Reply #9 on: January 30, 2019, 04:46:43 PM »
Hi Alan,

This one brought me right back to my hometown in the West country. Lovely chord progressions especially the change in keys. The guitar strumming, mellow drums, drawn out strings & sultry vocals work very well together.

Law

kevysc

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« Reply #10 on: January 30, 2019, 07:49:08 PM »
Very polished, lovely vocals / lyrics and sensitive arrangement that supports the song. Love the twist in the melody at the end of the chorus.

Nice work,

Kevin


diademgrove

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« Reply #11 on: February 01, 2019, 10:42:12 PM »
Hi Alan,

takes me back to the first 45s I was bought by my mother and father. All that's missing is Judith Durham. A lovely song and very enjoyable.

Keith

Dogmax

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« Reply #12 on: February 01, 2019, 11:39:33 PM »
Hey Monty nice but still the same what about a co  8)

montydog

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« Reply #13 on: February 02, 2019, 12:02:01 AM »
WTF R U Talking about?

M

Dogmax

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« Reply #14 on: February 02, 2019, 12:22:12 AM »
youre to relay man 8) want a col  8)