In a way, the song that started it all. I wrote "Frodo's Song" during the 50/90 songwriting challenge in 2010. The challenge is to write 50 songs in 90 days. I wrote one. One was enough.
This song found its way to the filk community before I did. The members of Urban Tapestry asked my permission to perform the song at the Ohio Valley Filk Festival that year--four years before I attended for the first time.
When I did finally get there in 2014, I signed up for a one-shot, and I sang "Frodo's Song." It was the first thing I ever performed on a filk convention stage.
lyrics
Wind is in the east, across the water
Grey the waves that softly seek the harbor
There a white ship waits to bear me far away
Far beyond the old wounds and the dwindling day
And in your eyes
That see they cannot follow
Sorrow takes hold
My friend, I know
But silver on the hills, the rain returning
Golden light upon the face of morning
Green has come again, and soon the flowers grow
Spare a loving hand to help them as they go
And in your eyes
I see the years run onward
Long with a love
That overflows
Stand with me, to look awhile together--
Night was deep, but morning shines forever
We are meant to live, and will be whole again
And I will carry, far as any heart can wend,
What your eyes
In all their kindness show
I know now, my friend
It has no end.
credits
from Courage, Dear Heart,
released November 3, 2023
Summer Russell - lead vocals, guitar
Margaret Davis - flute
Betsy Tinney - cello
I could listen to Lauren sing forever. Her writing is vivid and sensitive, sweetly and painfully human--never apologizing for sharp corners and rough edges. The beauty of her spirit shines through. Summer Russell
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